54 HUMOURISM AND COSMOPOLITANISM

Mark Twain

The pen name of Samuel L. Clemens, an American author known for his humor and social criticism.

Henry James

An American author known for his novels exploring the psychological depth and social dynamics of characters.

Realism

A literary movement aimed at representing reality as faithfully as possible, focusing on everyday life and society.

American Humor

A literary style characterized by exaggeration, tall tales, and comic depictions of working-class heroes.

Frontier humor

A lively form of American literature that features exaggerated tales of heroic figures from the American frontier.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Colloquial

A style of writing that reflects everyday speech and uses informal language.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

The Mississippi River

A central motif in Twain's work, symbolizing the fluidity and unpredictability of life.

The Gilded Age

A novel by Mark Twain that critiques the greed and moral decline of post-Civil War America.

Huckleberry Finn

A novel by Mark Twain that explores themes of race, freedom, and morality through the journey of a young boy.

Cosmopolitanism

A literary phenomenon characterized by the blending of cultures and perspectives, often depicting American experiences in Europe.

Expatriates

American writers or artists who settled in Europe, often seeking better opportunities and creative environments.

Stream-of-consciousness

A narrative mode that attempts to capture the flow of thoughts and feelings of a character.

Daisy Miller

A novella by Henry James that explores the conflict between American innocence and European tradition.

The Portrait of a Lady

A novel by Henry James focusing on a young woman's search for independence and self-awareness.

Psychological realism

A literary approach focusing on the inner thoughts and emotions of characters rather than external events.

The Wings of a Dove

A novel by Henry James about a wealthy American woman facing moral dilemmas and exploring desires.

The Ambassador

A novel by Henry James about an American diplomat's experiences in Europe and his realization of missed opportunities.

Modern American literature

A literary movement that blends humor with serious themes, exemplified by authors like Twain and James.

Duality

The presence of two opposing aspects or forces, often highlighted in Twain's narratives to depict moral and social conflicts.