The Fight for Freedom

These flashcards cover key concepts and facts from Mark Twain's life and works as discussed in the lecture on his contributions to literature and society.

What is Mark Twain's birth name?

Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

What literary devices does Twain use in Huck Finn to critique society?

Humor, satire, and narrative structure.

What influenced the setting of many of Twain's stories?

His boyhood experiences in Hannibal, Missouri.

What occupation did Twain have before he became a writer?

He was a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River.

What caused Twain to stop working as a riverboat pilot?

The outbreak of the Civil War.

What is the significance of the pen name 'Mark Twain'?

It refers to a riverboat call indicating a safe depth for navigation.

What are the major characteristics of Realism in literature?

Dynamic, everyday characters taking priority over plot; humans in control of their destinies; the reality of mortality.

What does 'Local Color' refer to in literature?

The customs, language, dress, or features of a specific area or time period.

How did Twain's personal tragedies affect his later writings?

They resulted in a mix of pessimism and humor, leading to a darker perspective on society.

What was the controversial aspect of Huck Finn related to its language?

The frequent use of the 'N-word' and stereotypical portrayals of race and gender.

What did Ernest Hemingway say about Huck Finn?

He claimed that 'All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.'

What did Twain's writing in Huck Finn critique about American society?

It critiqued racial, social, and political injustices.

What did Twain mean by saying 'I have no race prejudices'?

He claimed to be free of racial, caste, or creed prejudices, judging people solely on their humanity.

What was Twain's response to the Civil War's impact on his literature?

His writing reflected the realities and changes in society during and after the Civil War.

What is an important theme in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

The journey of self-discovery and moral growth against societal norms.