Samuel Clemens Impact

Samuel L. Clemens and His Historical Impact

Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) was one of the most prominent writers of, what he termed, the Gilded Age (approximately between 1870 and 1900). He had a unique writing style which, compared to others, helped to expose some of the harmful social normality’s of the Gilded Age (particularly racism). He also turned many of his experiences in life into his writings. Samuel L. Clemens started out with a simple life, gained popularity through his books, and went on to show off his wealth; Samuel L. Clemens was historically significant considering he was controversial, and had a unique writing style; but his impact was not worldwide. Samuel L. Clemens was born in Florida, Monroe County, Missouri on November

These works were inspired by events he experienced while living on his uncle’s farm. There are several examples of him incorporating the residents of the farm or even the farm itself into his books. For example; the characters Jim from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Aunt Polly from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer were both based on two slaves on his uncles’ farm, named Sandy and “Uncle Dan’l.” His book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was controversial since he used racial slurs (Nigger). An example is, when Clemens first introduces the character Jim, Huckleberry Finn

Clemens was historically significant since, his writings were occasionally controversial, but at the same time they convey to the reader a vivid image of what went on during the Gilded Age. There has been a debate over whether his works should be taught in schools because of their racial slurs even though they are an important works of classic American literature. Often people forget, or do not consider because of personal prejudices, how most of the diction Clemens utilizes is simply how people talked in the Gilded Age. Even though in today’s culture people may not use the word nigger anymore, unfortunately people in the Gilded Age used the racial slur in everyday life; considering, during the Gilded Age and before, the word did not have the same connotation as it does to Americans now. Samuel Clemens also hid some social commentary within his works which proved to work in his favor, since he was able to create a vivid depiction of many of the major issues during the Gilded Age, particularly slavery. Although he was not a leading influence in abolishing slavery, he did point out through his books the tough laws and conditions of being a slave. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, while talking to Huckleberry Finn, Jim says “Well, you see, it ’uz dis way. Ole Missus – dat’s Miss Watson – she pecks on me all the time, en treats me pooty rough, but she awluz said she wouldn’ sell me down to Orleans…en I hear ole missus tell de wider she gwyne to sell ne down to