美国文学史PPT马克吐温.pptVIP

* * Mark Twain ——Mirror of America 组员： CONTENTS general introduction works writing style assessment General introduction Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910),better known by his pseudonym(pen name) Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist. He is most noted for his novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), the latter often called the Great American Novel. He achieved great success as a writer and public speaker. His wit and satire earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty. General Introduction Born during a visit by Halleys Comet, he died on its return. He was lauded as the greatest American humorist of his age, and William Faulkner called Twain the father of American literature. General Introduction However，he lacked financial acumen. Though he made a great deal of money from his writings and lectures, he squandered it on various ventures, and was forced to declare bankruptcy. Twain worked hard to ensure that all of his creditors were paid in full, even though his bankruptcy had relieved him of the legal responsibility. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn It tells the story of a teenaged misfit who finds himself floating on a raft down the Mississippi River with an escaping slave, Jim. In the course of their perilous journey, Huck and Jim meet adventure, danger, and a cast of characters who are sometimes menacing and often hilarious. Though some of the situations in Huckleberry Finn are funny in themselves this books humor is found mostly in Hucks unique worldview and his way of expressing himself. Underlying Twains good humor is a dark subcurrent of Antebellum cruelty and injustice that makes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn a frequently funny book with a serious message. Writing Style Mark Twain wrote in his unpretentious(含蓄的）, colloquial