“Books are the liberated spirits of men.”
“If books are not good company, where will I find it?”
Mark Twain
Mississippi Blues No. 3, performed by Stefan Grossman and John Renbourn:
MARK TWAIN
1835 – 1910
Courtesy of History:
Samuel Clemens, who was born in Missouri, wrote under the pen name Mark Twain, which was a riverboat pilot’s cry meaning “two fathoms.” In river pilots’ language, it means a depth of two fathoms as measured on the sounding line used to ensure a boat’s safe passage through shallow waters.
After his father’s death in 1847, Clemens worked as a printer’s apprentice, a riverboat pilot, and a journalist for his brother’s newspaper and several other West Coast magazines. Twain’s first success as a writer came with a story called “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” The humorous sketch’s combination of anecdote, tall tale, and gentle satiric assessment of human nature would evolve through the decades as Twain added length and literary polish to his work. His natural skill as a raconteur, amiable and acerbic, provided him with a living in the lecture hall that complemented the success of his books.
Mark Twain standing in front of his childhood home in Hannibal, Missouri
The intro from Mark Twain (2002) (courtesy of Movie Clips I Like):
In 1867, his first book, a collection of short stories, established his reputation for dry humour, and it was confirmed by The Innocents Abroad, composed of letters home from a tour of the Mediterranean that poked fun at European customs and American tourists. His novels Tom Sawyer and The Prince and the Pauper were published in 1881, followed by Huckleberry Finn.
The statues of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Hannibal
Courtesy of Larry Richardson:
During the 1890s, Clemens lost all his money and launched into a world lecture tour to try and stay afloat, but the death of his wife and two of his three daughters left him bitter and depressed. He retained his sharp wit to the end, making him one of the most quoted human beings ever. In 1897, he sent a cable to a newspaper that had prematurely run his obituary, saying “The report of my death was an exaggeration.”
His bond between storyteller and reader has seldom been matched, and is and will be forever magical to his readers.
“Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor”, Op. 38 – I. Allegro non troppo by Johannes Brahms, performed by Gautier Capuçon and Yuja Wang:
Mark Twain statue in Library Park, Monrovia, California
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER
Twain’s first extended fictional narrative, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, begins with its hero already in trouble, or at least on the verge of it, under the watchful eye of his suspicious aunt Polly as she searches for him under the bed and around the house, until at last, he appears, pronouncing his innocence but no doubt hiding something, as readers as well as aunt Polly can surely tell. The battle lines between youthful high spirits and the sober strictures of adult society are quickly drawn, and we know immediately whose side we are on.
The book is based on the author’s recollections of his own youth in Hannibal, Missouri, although these are embellished, naturally, with an imaginative flair. Tom’s escapades are at first benign – playing hooky from school and the like – and recognisable albeit ingenious, as is the famous scene in which he tricks his buddies into whitewashing the fence for him by pretending the labour is a privilege rather than a chore.
But as the plot progresses, Tom’s exploits escalate to include the kinds of adventure a boy would invent for himself and his friends if he were braver than he really is, in a world more dangerous and interesting. Tom and various conspirators, including his rascally companion, Huckleberry Finn, come upon body snatchers in the graveyard, witness a murder, explore a haunted house, get lost for days in a cave, uncover buried treasure, escape to an island as self-appointed pirates, and have a remarkable experience of attending their own funeral after they are believed to have drowned in the Mississippi.
All in all, Twain’s novel is a delightful evocation of the spirit that drives precocious youngsters to set themselves against the unimaginative routines of the grown-up world, wrapped up in a plot that is filled with humour and suspense in equal measures. It is a joyful book that aptly meets the twin objective Twain describes in his preface: not only entertaining boys and girls, but also reminding adults of “what they once were themselves.”
I loved this book so much as a child that I could recite from memory entire passages.
Tom Sawyer’s story has been the source of a constant stream of film, television, and theatrical adaptations.
Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers:
An extract from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer:
“Every eye fastened itself with wondering interest upon Tom as he rose and took his place the stand. The boy looked wild enough, for he was badly scared. The oath was administered.
‘Tomas Sawyer, where were you on the seventeenth of June, about the hour of midnight?’
Tom glanced at Injun Joe’s iron face and his tongue failed him. The audience listened breathless, but the words refused to come. After a few moments, however, the boy got a little of his strength back, and managed to put enough of it into his voice to make part of the house hear:
‘In the graveyard!’
‘A little bit louder, please. Don’t be afraid. You were -‘
‘In the graveyard.’
A contemptuous smile flitted across Injun Joe’s face.
‘Were you anywhere near Horse Williams’ grave?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Speak up just a trifle louder. How near were you?’
‘Near as I am to you.’
‘I was hid.’
‘Where?’
‘Behind the elms that’s on the edge of the grave.’
Injun Joe gave a barely perceptive start.
‘Anyone with you?’
‘Yes, sir. I went there with -‘
‘Wait – wait a moment. Never mind mentioning your companion’s name. We will produce him at the proper time. Did you carry anything there with you?’
Tom hesitated and looked confused.
‘Speak out, my boy – don’t be diffident. The truth is always respectable. What did you take there?’
‘Only a – a – dead cat.’
There was a ripple of mirth, which the court checked.
‘We will produce the skeleton of that cat. Now, my boy, tell us everything that occurred – tell it in your own way – don’t skip anything, and don’t be afraid.’
naturetails 
For a while, Twain and his family lived in Hartford, Connecticut.
I have toured his Victorian house, complete with a conservatory. He required his daughters to create stories from the household items he would select.
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Hi. The excerpt that you present makes me want to re- read The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer (I read it a million years ago). Maybe I will!
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Great work for Great writer artist!
All the videos are mind refreshing!
Thanks for sharing!
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Outstanding Joanna! Another 10 and i loved it so much as I was able to cook and watch at the same time. The videos were a godsend and I was captivated by things I had never seen before! R=Bravo to your amazing labor of love in all you do! ❣️
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Thank you for your excellent article Joanna! 👌🏻❤️ Very well written, documented and illustrated. Great work! I’ve already told my children that Tom Sawyer has definitely marked my childhood. Thank you for bringing back good memories.
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Thank you, Filipa, for your lovely comments! You are right, this book influenced many childhoods. I loved it, and this is what makes writer immortal, his words live on, and appeal to countess generations.
Thank you, Filipa, again, greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Thank you, Cindy, for your wonderful comments! As it is one of the books that influenced my childhood, I love when other readers share my experience.
Thank you, Cindy, again, greatly appreciated your views, as always!
Joanna
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Thank you, Datta, for your kind comments! Your words are greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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I totally agree with you Joanna! Have a wonderful weekend!✨
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Thank you, Neil, for your kind comments! I am glad that the great Twain is tempting you to read his masterpiece again! Greatlyappreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Pat, for your kind comments! Your addition to my knowledge is greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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🌸🙏🌸
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Thank you!
Joanna xxx
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Thank you!
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You’re so welcome Joanna. I can see why. What an extraordinary man he was. It was my pleasure❣️
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I’m so glad that you’ve included Mark Twain in your series Joanna. He is among my favourite authors, and his quotes are something else.
Your opening paragraph about where his name came from is something I didn’t know, but glad I do now. It was many years ago that I read Tom Sawyer, but it only seems like yesterday somehow. It conjures up memories of a time when being ‘naughty’ was so much different to how things are today, but maybe I’m just looking at life through rose-coloured glasses.
This is yet another wonderful post Joanna, with so much in it to keep me wanting more. I don’t want this series to ever end 😊
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Excellent article with good information, Joanna!👍
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I have a terrible admission to make Joanna. I have never read Mark Twain, not a single solitary word! Yet another marvellous post which has now planted a seed of intent! Thank you.
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Thank you for another outstanding post, Joanna!
I’ve always liked Mark Twain. He brings me back to my childhood readings❣️
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Thank you, Joanna, for one more edition of Great Books. All the posts of yours are special in their own ways. This is also one for me for three specific reasons:
Firstly, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a very well written novel about a smart mischievous, but pure hearted young boy that can be read both by children and adults. Freedom and joy of childhood, and responsibilities of adult life are the two realities that we all experience.
Secondly, this novel, as you said, is a recollection of Mark Twain’s own youth. Premature publication of his obituary and dramatic irony of attending own funeral in the novel teach us how to be a better person.
Third and the most important reason is that Mark Twain had a very high opinion about India, my own country, when he said, “India is the cradle of the human race, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grandmother of tradition.”
I think it’s Mark’s quote that if you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything. In all, a great post, Joanna! Thanks so much for making this Saturday evening more fruitful. Have a great weekend!
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Thank you, Kaushal, for your wonderful, as always, comments. It is remarkable how so many readers remember their childhood being influenced by Twain’s masterpiece. I value all and every remarque you made. Of course, you know my affinity with India, the country of the oldest civilization in the world, a sacred place, and unique, I rever –
For the Himalayas, for that reason alone, Twain is one of my favorite writers.
Thank you, Kaushal, again, your words are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, dear Luisa, for your kind comments! I remember reding several times the adventures of the small boy because for many reasons, I did not have any.
Joanna
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Like many before me, Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn are fixed in the mind of my childhood like wonderful cheeky friends. Happy days they were! Great post, Joanna! 🌹💌💓🙋♂️
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Thank you, Ashley, for the lovely comments! I can never tire of reading Twain’s work.
A sign of a genius writer.
Thank you, Ashley, again for finding time to read my posts, greatly appreciated!
Joanna xxx
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Thank you, Malc, for your wonderful and uplifting comments! Times changed so much that it is difficult to reconcile with the present. As long as I have readers like you, Malc, I will write!
Joanna
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Makes me yearn for the innocence (comparative!) of childhood and a much simpler time. A very nice presentation of this wonderful writer. Thank you once again!
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Always a pleasure, Joanna, to read your posts! You’re welcome!
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You keep writing and I’ll keep reading 😊
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your kind comments! Yes, times change, that is why we have the books to keep us uplifted, and perhaps little Ghost too.
Your words are greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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That is a deal, Malc!!
Joanna
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Thank you, Peter, for your honest comment. Time to remedy this gap in your knowledge.
Joanna
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My pleasure. It was fun to recall a visit that I had forgotten until reading this post.
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Thanks!
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Thank you so much for this wonderful reflection, dearest Joanna 💙💙💙
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Thank you!
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Thanks for sharing this Joanna.
Anita
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Thank you, Anita, for your kind comment. Greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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One of my favorite writers. I had never seen the picture of M.T. in front of his childhood home. I did not know he wrote the Prince and the Pauper. Good rendition of his life..Cheers! Eva 🙂
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Thank you, Eva, for your kind comments! Greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Eva, for your kind comments! I love his books too. Your words are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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What a lovely post that highlights the literary life of Mark Twain and shares why his works are so well loved! ❤
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Thank you, Layla, for your kind comments! Greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you for sharing Joanna. Mark Twain was indeed an incredible and influential writer.
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Thank you, Henrietta for your kind comment. Greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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