《美国文学》教学课件Mark Twain1.ppt

Mark Twain One of America’s first and foremost realists , humorists, the true father of American literature. (William Faulkner ) Mark Twain , which means “ two fathoms” was the pen name of Samuel Langhore Clemens Mark Twain 1835 Born in Florida, Missouri. Halley’s comet visible from earth. 1839 Moves to Hannibal, Missouri, which later serves as the model town for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. 1847 Father dies of pneumonia(肺炎) ,, leaving family in difficult circumstances. Shortly thereafter he left school? having completed the fifth grade. 1851 Begins work as a journeyman printer with the Hannibal Gazette. (owned by his brother Orion). Publishes first sketches. 1853 Visits St. Louis, New York, and Philadelphia as an itinerant (巡回的，流动的)printer. 1857 Becomes a cub-pilot . Spends next two years “learning” the river, later described in Life on the Mississippi. Later he was to say, “In that brief, sharp schooling, I got personally and familiarly acquainted with about all the different types of human nature… When I find a well-drawn character in fiction or biography, I generally take a warm personal interest in him, for the reason that I have known him before. I’ve met him on the river.” 1858 Brother Henry was killed in steamboat accident on the Pennsylvania. 1861 Civil War breaks out, halting river trade. Clemens serves two weeks with Confederate irregulars(非正规军), then moves to Nevada with his brother Orion. 1862 Travels around Nevada and California. After failing as a silver prospector? takes job as reporter for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. 1864 Forced to leave Nevada for breaking dueling laws. Prospects in Calaveras County, settles in San Francisco. Writes for magazines and newspapers. 1865 Writes “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog.” Wins notice in eastern magazines. Sam’s first “big break”. 1866 Takes trip to Hawaii .Reports on shipwreck of the Hornet. Gives first public lecture. 1867 Travels as correspondent to Europe