Questions and Answers
What was Mark Twain's real name?
Samuel Langhorne Clemens
When and where was Twain born?
November 30th, 1835 in Florida, Missouri
Who was Twain's father, and what did he do for a job?
John Marshall Clemens, who worked as a lawyer.
Who was Twain's mother, and what did she do for a job?
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Samuel was the ______ of _ children.
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How many of the Clemens' children survived to adulthood?
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Twain lived in Florida, Missouri, until the age of _. Where did he move?
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Hannibal influenced Twain's later writings, such as, ___ __________ __ ___ _______.
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What does Hannibal consist of?
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What is a word to describe young Twain?
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How old was Samuel/Twain when his father passed away?
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After Twain's father's death, what did Twain do?
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After he became a printer's apprentice, what did he then do?
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At age 18, what did Twain do?
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When did Twain return to Hannibal and why?
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What happened during the Civil War, and what year was it?
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What happened in July 1861?
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What happened in 1863?
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What does 'Mark Twain' mean?
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What did Twain/Samuel do in 1864?
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Study Notes
Mark Twain's Early Life
- Real name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens, born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri.
- Oldest of six children; only three siblings survived to adulthood.
- Father's name was John Marshall Clemens, who worked as a lawyer; mother's name was Jane Lampton Clemens, a housewife.
- Moved to Hannibal, Missouri, at age six, which significantly influenced his later writings, notably The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
- Hannibal had a population that included African-Americans, primarily as household servants rather than field workers.
Twain's Youth and Education
- Known for being a mischievous youth, reminiscent of Tom Sawyer's character.
- Father passed away when Twain was 11 years old, leading him to leave school and work as a printer's apprentice to support his family.
- Began his journalism career at the Hannibal Journal, gaining foundational skills in the newspaper trade.
Career Beginnings
- At 18, moved to New York City and Philadelphia, exploring various newspaper jobs and starting his writing journey.
- Returned to Hannibal in 1857 to pursue his dream of becoming a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River.
Impact of the Civil War
- The onset of the Civil War in 1861 halted all travel on the Mississippi, resulting in the loss of Twain's job.
Transition to Writing
- In July 1861, traveled to Nevada in search of wealth through silver and gold mining but shifted focus to writing when mining proved unsuccessful.
- Adopted the pen name "Mark Twain" in 1863, a term from riverboat terminology meaning "12-feet deep."
- In 1864, moved to San Francisco, continuing to write for local newspapers and establishing his literary career.
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Description
Explore the life and background of Mark Twain with these flashcards. Learn about his real name, birthplace, and family history to deepen your understanding of this literary giant. Perfect for students and fans of American literature.
