Mark Twain, known at the time to be a humorous author, wrote a speech on ‘Advice to Youth.’ Twain gives several pieces of advice all with a twist of honesty attached. The way this speech was written suggest that it would have been delivered at a graduation ceremony. Perhaps Twain was asked to speak at a college graduation ceremony and was going to deliver this speech. It is the perfect speech to relate to youth.
Twain’s advice begins with “always obey your parents…” (Norton, 550) which is sound advice. The rule of obeying one’s parents comes right from the Ten Commandments. Obeying one’s parents is a rule that is as old as time, engraved in everyday teachings. Twain twists this idea and adds “… when they are present” (Norton, 550) saying to only obey your parents when they are around. What parents do not know, will not hurt them. It is the same idea of; if a tree falls when no one is around does it make a sound. If no one is around to physically hear the tree fall, is it considered a sound? This is the same reasoning with; if a person commits a crime but no one was hurt or even noticed that a crime had been committed is it still considered a crime. Twain is saying that if parents are not around it is ok to not obey. Twain also adds “humoring that superstition” (Norton, 550) the superstition is the idea that parents always knows best and humoring that idea would be beneficial. Parents believe that they are all knowing beings and children must obey. That being said, parents can do no wrong and it would be wise to humor that idea.
Twain writes “be respectful to your superiors, if you have any.”(Norton, 550) This advice contradicts the first advice of always obey your parents, but contradictions and rebellion seem to be an ongoing t...
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...ild a life and reputation. In such a brief lesson so many lifelong principles can be derived.
Twain compresses so much knowledge and wisdom into a two page essay. Twain’s advice knows no bounds and is still useful today. Twains was a man beyond his time. ‘Advice to Youth’ written over a hundred years ago still carries a great message. It is witty, sarcastic, and over all good advice. Since this speech is still relevant today, shows how much Twain has mastered the skills he speaks of. Twain speaks from experience and a place of wisdom.
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These are lessons I have shared with my own children who are now in high school and will be moving on to college. Braaksmas lessons of hard work, and dedication to his education should be shared with all students. Realizing it is a privilege and not a right to pursue higher education may keep students more grounded and appreciative of their
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Throughout the book, Twain uses various themes such as social ostracism to comment on human nature and its role in shaping society. Sometimes mainstream society is not as right and moral as it believes, and when individuals try to justify it they push away their own humanity. Twain demonstrates this through the various lifestyles, comparing the intellects and beliefs of different social classes, and Huck’s conforming to each facet of society.
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The anecdote that Mark Twain inserts to the beginning of his essay adds a personal example that helps develop his argument. The anecdote absolutely does not detract from the essay. In fact, it adds to his essay because it furthers his argument. In the South, slavery was strongly supported. Due to this Jerry was unable to preach. But why did everyone support slavery? The answer is simple and is answered throughout Twain’s essay. One person supports slavery, then the “neighbor notices this and follows”, before long the whole neighborhood supports slavery. The addition of the anecdote adds an example of conformity to Twain’s essay whic...
Mississippi Twain tells us of a man with a dream. As imperfection has it this
One device Twain uses to develop his view on conformity is repetition. While discussing man’s inability of having a self-created opinion, but rather conforming to another opinion, he uses the phrase, “he must” (Twain, 718) five separate times. By repeating those two words, Twain shows how conformity is a requirement, not an option. Instead of reasoning out personal thoughts on a subject, people conform to the majority’s belief on that subject. People base opinions off on other people, which is Twain’s main point in his essay. Later on, he uses repetition once again to discuss the common changes in manners and man’s inability to think for themselves. Twain uses the pronoun “we” (719) to include everybody in his perspective on conformity. By ranging the settings, “…table manners, and company manners, and street manners…” (719), he shows how conformity impacts every aspect of life. Also, any...
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Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by the pseudonym Mark Twain, has been central to American literature for over a century. His seemingly effortless diction accurately exemplified America’s southern culture. From his early experiences in journalism to his most famous fictional works, Twain has remained relevant to American writing as well as pop culture. His iconic works are timeless and have given inspiration the youth of America for decades. He distanced himself from formal writing and became one of the most celebrated humorists. Mark Twain’s use of the common vernacular set him apart from authors of his era giving his readers a sense of familiarity and emotional connection to his characters and himself.
In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain shows how ridiculous it is to follow society’s corrupt beliefs just because everyone else is. Twain uses the protagonist, Huck’s, adventures as he grows and matures to show this corruption. Huck goes against societal norms to do what he feels is right, even if society says it will send him to Hell. To get this message across, Twain uses frequent examples of satire to show the hypocrisy and corruption within society’s ideals. These satirical examples especially emphasize religion, education, and slavery. This coming-of-age story points out the many flaws within society in a humorous, yet truthful manner.
Humor, along with its various forms, including satire, is often used to present social commentaries. This is especially true in Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In his novel, Twain tells the story of a boy named Huckleberry Finn voyaging down the Mississippi River to free his slave companion, Jim. In doing so, Twain evokes many issues of Southern culture. Through the use of satirical devices, characterization, and story, the author enlightens readers and offers a critique on racism and religion. One of the best, if not the single most important, humorist in American history, Mark Twain, through his satire, paints a portrait of the pre-Civil War American South and all its flaws.
Youth individually is important in this society. If not, the youth of this society are just like everyone else, which discourage them to be themselves. A very humorous, intellectual man, author Mark Twain created a satire which became a lecture in 1882, to show the humor of society to the youth. In “Advice of Youth” Mark Twain informs the youth through logical appeals, irony, and parallelism.