Showing posts with label Twain Mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Twain Mark. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2118
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Life On The Mississippi By Mark Twain
A river memoir documenting Twain’s early days as an apprentice steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War. Reminiscing about his happy experiences as a young man under the instruction of an experienced mentor, the autobiographical tale depicts one of the most vivid illustrations of river life. Furthermore, the book captures the author’s nostalgic emotions through his resonant depiction of one of the most notable periods of his life.
Twain begins his memoir with a rich historical account of the Mississippi River including its exploration by early explorers, its evolution, and its vastness. He then proceeds to tell of his youthful experiences along the river, and its significant role in his life from early childhood right up to adulthood. Subsequently, the classic focuses on Twain’s time as a cub-pilot on a steamboat and the incidents that occur during his apprenticeship. Never depicting a dull moment, the author mentions various characters and encounters which further enrich the tale as he navigates along the river. Written from a personal point of view, the story offers insight as the audience is exposed to a different angle of river life through an enchanting travel log. He vibrantly describes the beauties of the Mississippi River with its twists, shallows, rapids, turns and landmarks, consequently bringing life to the river. In the second part of the book, however, Twain describes a different experience on the Mississippi River, conveying the harsh reality of progress as he travels along the river years later. In addition the book presents opposing images of a bucolic setting not yet altered by the inescapable grasp of industrialization, and the image of the consequences instigated by industrialization and automation. A stunning blend of autobiography, history and tall tales, the book has much to offer to its audience, and also includes humorous appendixes and commentaries. |
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
The Prince And The Pauper By Mark Twain
A poor young boy from the slums of London watches a royal procession pass, with the youthful Prince of Wales riding at its head. He ventures too close and is caught and beaten by the Prince's guards. However, the young royal stops them and invites the vagrant to the palace. Here the two boys sup alone and are stunned to discover that they bear a startling resemblance to each other. The Prince is Edward, long awaited heir of the monarch, Henry VIII, while the vagrant is Tom Canty, the son of a thief and a beggar. Edward is fascinated by the free and unfettered life that Tom leads, while Tom is overawed by the wealth and luxury of the palace. The boys decide to switch clothes. From here, adventure begins for both of them!
First published in 1881, The Prince and The Pauper by Mark Twain is the famous American writer and humorist's first foray into historical fiction. Set in the sixteenth century Tudor court of Henry VIII, the book is reputedly Mark Twain's most carefully plotted novel. Great attention has been paid to setting, dialog and character. Early plot devices are carefully constructed to become invaluable features that carry the story along. Several real historical figures appear in the book. |
Twain also explores ideas of conventional wisdom that deem “Clothes Maketh a Man” which implies that appearances are everything. Being a voracious reader of history himself, Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens to give his real name) was able to use some of the material he had absorbed in The Prince and The Pauper. He faithfully renders Tudor English that he also displays in the other books Tom Sawyer and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
The thrilling climax of the novel, which takes place just days before Henry VIII's death, and the coronation of the new king, is one that brings all the threads of this exciting tale together. The Prince and The Pauper has been widely adapted on screen, stage and television. Comics, animated versions, a Mickey Mouse version and many more have continued to explore this very interesting theme of switched identities. Disney films like Parent Trap, a Barbie version, a film version in Hindi, and several musical adaptations have kept this timeless classic alive.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain
Regarded as
the pride and joy of American literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn is a picturesque novel depicting Huck’s epic journey from boyhood
to manhood and the struggles he must face living in a corrupt society.
The novel serves as a sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, another
famous work by Mark Twain. The plot unfolds in several locations
sometime before the Civil War.
The book opens with a description of Huck’s new life as he undergoes a
process of “civilization” while living with the Widow Douglas and her
sister Miss Watson. Although he dislikes the strict regime of education,
manners, church and rigid clothing, which are a necessity to fit into
society, Huck prefers anything to his previous life with his drunkard
father Pap. However, just as things begin to stabilize, Pap returns to
the picture and demands Huck give him the money that he had previously
attained during an adventure with his best friend Tom Sawyer. Huck’s
refusal to do so only infuriates Pap. Just when things are improving for
Huck, he is kidnapped and mistreated by his no-good father. After
faking his own death and on the run, he meets Jim who is a runaway slave
with a bounty to his name. Huck must decide whether to trust his gut
feeling and help an innocent flee slavery, or view the poor man simply
as property. Caught up between ethics and legality, Huck must make a
decision. The two set out together on a raft, both in search of freedom
and experience many challenges on the way whilst at the same time an
emotional bond is developed.
Twain’s vibrant description of the places and people along the
Mississippi River is one of the jewels of the novel, as well as the use
of vernacular language and the presence of dialects. Moral and ethics,
racism and slavery, and hypocritical society are just some of the
targeted issues presented in the novel.
Celebrated throughout generations, the slanted tale of adventure does
not seize to spark appreciation although simultaneously stirring
controversy.
Regarded as the pride and joy of American literature, The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn is a picturesque novel depicting Huck’s epic journey
from boyhood to manhood and the struggles he must face living in a
corrupt society. The novel serves as a sequel to The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer, another famous work by Mark Twain. The plot unfolds in several
locations sometime before the Civil War.
The book opens with a description of Huck’s new life as he undergoes a
process of “civilization” while living with the Widow Douglas and her
sister Miss Watson. Although he dislikes the strict regime of education,
manners, church and rigid clothing, which are a necessity to fit into
society, Huck prefers anything to his previous life with his drunkard
father Pap. However, just as things begin to stabilize, Pap returns to
the picture and demands Huck give him the money that he had previously
attained during an adventure with his best friend Tom Sawyer. Huck’s
refusal to do so only infuriates Pap. Just when things are improving for
Huck, he is kidnapped and mistreated by his no-good father. After
faking his own death and on the run, he meets Jim who is a runaway slave
with a bounty to his name. Huck must decide whether to trust his gut
feeling and help an innocent flee slavery, or view the poor man simply
as property. Caught up between ethics and legality, Huck must make a
decision. The two set out together on a raft, both in search of freedom
and experience many challenges on the way whilst at the same time an
emotional bond is developed.
Twain’s vibrant description of the places and people along the
Mississippi River is one of the jewels of the novel, as well as the use
of vernacular language and the presence of dialects. Moral and ethics,
racism and slavery, and hypocritical society are just some of the
targeted issues presented in the novel.
Celebrated throughout generations, the slanted tale of adventure does
not seize to spark appreciation although simultaneously stirring
controversy.
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
If ever there was a story written based unabashedly on adventure and trouble, this is it.
There are treasure hunts and murderers on the run in this book that will
keep you spellbound. Tom and his half-brother, Sid, lived with their
aunt, Polly. Tom was a boisterous young fellow who constantly found
himself in rather awkward situations that landed him into trouble. These
situations were however exceedingly hilarious.
On one occasion, Tom dirtied his clothes in a fight and his punishment
was to whitewash the fence the following day. He cunningly got his
friends to not only beg to do the work for him but also to pay him for
the privilege!
Tom and his friend, Huckleberry Finn visited the graveyard one night and
witnessed the murder of Dr. Robinson. In fear they ran away to an
island but soon came back home when they learned that their parents
thought they were dead. But what became of the murderer on the run?
Tom Sawyer is a story told in such an engaging manner that you'll want
to read it all in one sitting. The characters are vibrant and alive and
the language simple, fun and engaging. If you have the stomach for such a
story full of humor and horror, this book will not disappoint.If ever
there was a story written based unabashedly on adventure and trouble,
this is it.
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