Analysis of Mark Twain Quotes

566 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Use of literature of mark twain

Ditching school, swimming in the Mississippi, and fantasizing all sounds fun. In reality this sounds impossible, but in Mark Twain’s world it was all real, not imaginative. Although Mark Twain was not well educated, he was one of the greatest and most influential writers of his time. Mark Twain was neither a thinker nor a philosopher. He was just a sensitive and a humorous person. Mark Twain expressed a lot of his opinions through quotes in the books that he wrote. I will be taking an in-depth look into the saying, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” I will also be analyzing the quote, “It is easier to stay out than get out.”

Samuel Clemens once said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” This quote obviously has something to do with age. My interpretation of this quote is that if one does not focus on his age and beauty, then everything will run smoothly in life. It also says that aging pertains to everyone and no one can escape it. If one does not think of aging, then life would be so much healthier and happier. Mark Twain said this because it pertains to everybody in the common issue of aging. This quote is still pertinent in today’s society because a lot of people think of aging as either a good or a bad thing and it helps people to understand that aging and the outcome of the wrinkly physical appearance is common with those of their own peers.

In Pudd’nhead Wilson, a book written by Mark Twain, Twain quotes that, “It is easier to stay out than get out.” This quote basically means that it is easier to stay out of things than trying to get out of the mess unaffected. Mark Twain wrote this because it is true in society in whatever we might do, that it is easier to stay out than get out. This quote is still pertinent in society today. Addiction to drugs or cigarettes can be a perfect example of how this quote speaks for itself. The war in Iraq is also a major issue that has perfect ties to this quote because America is providing the Constitution for Iraq, and the American soldiers have to be stationed in Iraq a little longer because of the new government that the Americans created.

Show More
Related

  • The Twain Juxtaposition

    658 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The Convergence of the Twain” is a nonlinear retelling of the Titanic disaster of 1912; however, on a deeper level, the poem explores hubris, downfall, and how fate connects hubris to downfall. Through tone, diction and juxtaposition, the speaker describes the sinking of the Titanic as inevitable and necessary.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Mark Twain's Speech

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mark Twain told us in his speech on October 17, 1907 "We build a fire in a powder magazine, then double the fire department to put it out. We inflame wild beasts with the smell of blood, and then innocently wonder at the wave of brutal appetite that sweeps the land as a consequence." Twain’s word convey the fact that as society we build an environment that enrages these wild or “insane” people then we call To fix the people that we have made into a certain way……... Twain's quote both ties into gun violence and us as Americans it's our responsibility to look out for one another be each others backbones and hold each other up when times are hard.

    Read More

  • Irony In Mark Twain's War Prayer

    1791 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mark Twain’s “Advice to Youth” is used to instruct the youthful generation on ways we should be, act and present ourselves. This is ironic because youth does not listen to advice due to the know it all persona they uphold for a solid 10 years. Basically he states that reviewing and following these bs rules will make life so much better for all of society.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Mark Twain Corn Pone Opinion

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    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...

    Read More

  • The Mark Twain Thesis

    688 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mississippi Twain tells us of a man with a dream. As imperfection has it this

    Read More

  • The Second Child Of John Marshalll And Jane Moffit Clemens

    783 Words  | 2 Pages

    Samuel Clemens, was the sixth child of John Marshalll and Jane Moffit Clemens, born two months prematurely and was in poor health for the first 10 years of his life. His mother tried different types of remedies during those younger years. Twain used his memories of his childhood and his illness to fill the pages of several of his books including Tom Sawyer and other writings. Clemens was often pampered, by his mother, and thus developed early in life the testing her indulgence through mischief, while offering his humor as bond for the crimes he would commit. When Twain’s mother was in her 80s, he asked her about his poor health in those early years: “I suppose that during that whole time you were uneasy about me?” “Yes, the whole time,” she answered. “Afraid I wouldn’t live?” “No,” she said, “afraid you would.” One can clearly see where Twain got his sense of humor and zest for life, (Morris, 1996)). Even though it seemed life started out rough Twain pushed his passed it all and went for what he wanted not allowing anyone to stand in his way.

    Read More

  • What Is Jim's Lack Of Education In Huck Finn

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    Life in the late eighteen hundreds was very different from the life we know today. Not only was there more inequality, there were also more health concerns and lapses in education. Mark Twain, in his book “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” has given us a special look into the past through the eyes of a young boy. Though this book is one of, if not the most highly criticized books in the American school system, it is also one of the most highly renowned. Through the criticism, Twain has given us a golden reflective opportunity.

    Read More

  • Censorship in American Literature

    815 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...audiences. Mark Twain once said about his novels “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “the Adventures of Tom Sawyer” "I wrote 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Huck Finn' for adults exclusively, and it always distressed me when I find that boys and girls have been allowed access to them. The mind that becomes soiled in youth can never again be washed clean." - Mark Twain

    Read More

  • Conformity In Mark Twain's Corn Pone Opinions

    1282 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mark Twain’s purpose in “Corn-Pone Opinions” is to inform the reader that it is human nature to conform to the rest of society. According to Twain,”self-approval is acquired mainly from the approval of other people. The result is conformity.” (Twain 720). While humans provide opinions, many of them are based from the association with others. Twain claims that it is a basic human instinct to receive approval, mostly that of others. In his essay, Furthermore, Twain is attempting to persuade the reader to stop conforming to what society wants. It is through this process that many individuals abandon their own beliefs and principles.

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Mark Twain Corn Pone Opinion

    1230 Words  | 3 Pages

    Are personal opinions made up from your own personal thoughts or are they developed from what others think or feel? The essay Corn-pone Opinions by Mark Twain, shows how corn-pone or every day opinions are formed. It was written in 1901, but was not published until after his death in 1923, in Europe and Elsewhere. The author’s main argument is that opinions are developed from conformity with what their family, neighbors, and society around them thinks. In general, people have a need for self-approval.

    Read More

  • Address To The Mob Mark Twain Analysis

    452 Words  | 1 Pages

    In Chapter 22 during Sherburn’s speech to the mob Twain suggests that mob mentality is detrimental to the social system of America and that the average man is a coward by directly addressing the faults of a mob and connecting the idea of a mob to the cowardly theme of hiding from conflict. During Sherburn’s speech he explains to the members of the mob that “you’re afraid you’ll be found out to be what you are-- cowards -- and so you raise a yell, and hang yourselves onto that half-a-man’s coat tail”(Twain 167). In this passage Twain directly address the motives of a mob in order to show its shortcomings. Twain shows that being in a mob is just a form of cowardice disguised as brave action. The direct address serves to call out the individual in the mob and address this individual rather than the group. This rhetoric shows that Twain views the mob not as one group, but a collection of weak individuals. Twain further shows his disdain for

    Read More

  • Mark Twain's Influence on American Literature

    1193 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Analysis of an Excerpt from Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi"

    328 Words  | 1 Pages

    In "Two Views of the River," an excerpt from Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi, Twain comes to the realization of the realities of the river. After a life along the river and knowing "every trifling feature that bordered the great river as" well as he knew his alphabet, (Twain 1) Twain sees the reality behind the "beauty" (1) and "poetry" (1) of the river. A comprehensive analysis reveals Twain's argument questions the value of learning a trade, as his images of "the majestic river" (1) and the peril it may cause for the steamboat, show the comparisons of the beauty and the reality of the river.

    Read More

  • A Brief History of Mark Twain

    1091 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many quotes to describe a classical American author, but Ulysses S. Grant describes one particular true American author as “. . . the simple soldier, who, all untaught of the silken phrase markers, linked words together with an art surpassing the art of schools and into them put a something which will bring American ears, as long as America shall last, the roll of his vanished drums and the thread of his marching hosts.” (American Experience, Grant’s Memoirs) Mark Twain is this simple soldier who is a true American author who expressed America with his writings. He fought for America in his writings as he did when he fought in the Civil War; the realistic literary time period. And his travels around the nation and life-changing experiences influenced him to write for the American readers to imagine what he viewed. Twain is a true American author due to his life events that influenced him to share with his beloved readers.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Advice Of Youth

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about Analysis of Mark Twain Quotes

Open Document