Task #2

Leandra Agudelo Alvarez

UNIVERSITY OF CÓRDOBA

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING

PROGRAM MONTERÍA-CÓRDOBA

05/05/2023
 MARK TWAIN
(1835-1910)
Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American writer,

humorist, and entrepreneur. He was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida,

Missouri, and grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, a town on the Mississippi River that

would later serve as the inspiration for his most famous novel, "The Adventures of

Tom Sawyer."

Twain's father died when he was 11, leaving the family in financial hardship. To

support himself and his family, Twain worked as an apprentice printer, and later as

a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, a job he loved and which would inspire

much of his writing.

Twain began writing professionally in the mid-1860s, first as a journalist and

later as a lecturer and author. He gained widespread popularity for his humorous

and satirical writing, which often commented on the political and social issues of

his time. His most famous works include "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,"

"Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "The Prince and the Pauper," and "A

Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."

Twain was also an entrepreneur, investing in a number of business ventures,

including a publishing company, a typesetting machine, and a steamboat company.

However, many of these ventures were unsuccessful, and Twain faced financial

difficulties throughout his life.

Twain was known for his wit and his colorful personality, as well as his support

for various social causes, including abolitionism and women's suffrage. He died on
April 21, 1910, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy as one of America's

greatest writers and humorists.

"BUCK FANSHAW'S FUNERAL"

"Buck Fanshaw's Funeral" is a short story written by Mark Twain, originally

published in 1872. It is a humorous and satirical piece that parodies the

conventions and rituals surrounding funerals.

The story is set in a small town called Deer Lick, somewhere out west. The

protagonist, Buck Fanshaw, is a well-known and respected citizen of the town who

unexpectedly passes away. The news of his death spreads quickly, and the

community begins preparations for his funeral.

As the townspeople make arrangements, they are filled with a mix of grief,

solemnity, and a desire to put on an impressive display for the occasion. The

undertaker, Si Hawkins, takes charge of organizing the funeral and meticulously

plans every detail. He intends to make it a grand affair, complete with an elaborate

procession, expensive decorations, and mourners hired to cry and show their grief.

However, Twain uses the story to poke fun at the pomp and pretentiousness

associated with funerals. He highlights the absurdity of the extravagant

preparations and the exaggerated expressions of grief. The townspeople are more

focused on appearances and creating an impressive spectacle than genuinely

mourning the loss of Buck Fanshaw.

Twain's wit shines through as he describes the various mishaps and comical

incidents that occur during the funeral preparations. From a runaway hearse to a
mishap with the hired mourners, the events turn into a series of hilarious

misadventures that undermine the solemnity of the occasion.

In "Buck Fanshaw's Funeral," Mark Twain uses satire to critique the hypocrisy and

artificiality often associated with funerals. Through his humor and sharp

observations, he challenges the conventional notions of grief and mourning,

encouraging readers to question the authenticity of public displays of sorrow.

To conclude, "Buck Fanshaw's Funeral" is a lighthearted and entertaining story that

showcases Twain's mastery of satire and his ability to expose societal absurdities

through humor.
 REFERENCES

https://proverbia.net/autor/frases-de-mark-twain

https://www.elresumen.com/biografias/mark_twain.htm

https://mirrorwithclouds.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/mark-twains-buck-fanshaws-

funeral/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBuck%20Fanshaw's%20Funeral%E2%80%9D

%20really%20isn,is%20more%20educated%20than%20Scotty.