ENGLISH PROJECT: MARK TWAIN

Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Langhorne Clemens or Josh, was a steamboat, gold
prospector and writer of the 19th century. Born in 1835, he was a writer and humorist who threw
shade at the world he lived in. He lived in the U.S. in the 1800s, a time of substantial changes
like industrialization, westward expansion and we cannot forget the famous Civil War.

Twain's childhood was difficult. Slavery, sectional tensions, poverty. Back then in the 19th
century, everything was about plantations and farms. Twain's early days in Missouri gave him a
ringside seat, a close view, to slavery, and it totally left a mark on his writing, especially in
"Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."

When the Civil War crashed the party in 1861, Mark did a quick stint as a Confederate
militiaman. He later decided to leave the Confederate militia to pursue his aspirations in the
mining industry. After the Civil War finished, the Reconstruction era started and the movements
of African American fighting for their rights. Mark Twain used to hold racial attitudes but when
the Reconstruction era started, he became critical of racial violence and discrimination.

Twain's writing was not just random words on paper, it was a mix of the hottest cultural
movements of the time Romanticism and Realism. At first, he was all about that Romantic life,
individualism, and nature. Later, he adopted Realism as his narrative style to portray life without
exaggerations. Twain's writing took on an assertive tone, as he openly critiqued societal norms
and boldly addressed prevalent issues. He straightforwardly and confidently discussed and
analyzed the issues of his time

His most notable literary achievements, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn," functioned as critical commentaries challenging the prevailing societal
norms. Notably, "Huckleberry Finn" exhibited a profound exploration of intricate subjects such
as slavery and racism within the context of the post-Civil War Southern United States.

Twain was not just your typical author, he brought this unique vibe, using his humor to criticize
absurd aspects of society. Whether he was steering boats or trying his hand at gold prospecting,
his wild adventures spiced up his storytelling. He was really getting at the pulse of how America
was changing and evolving.

In the end, Mark Twain was not just a writer, he was a rebel, challenging the standards and
leaving a legacy that still has people talking. His writings were not just ink on paper, they were a
mirror reflecting the chaos of 19th-century America. Mark Twain's legacy continues to shape and
affect how people view the identity and values of the United States.