Mark Twain in Context

Places Mark Twain in the literary, historical, and cultural contexts of his time.

John Bird (Edited by)

9781108472609, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 January 2020

422 pages, 6 b/w illus.
23.4 x 15.9 x 2.4 cm, 0.78 kg

'Mark Twain in Context is a treasure trove of information … It is an ideal collection for undergraduates and readers new to Twain, but those with more experience are also likely to find it of much use … all the chapters are excellent, well-researched introductions to the various ways Twain was a man of his time and remains relevant in the present time.' J. W. Miller, Choice

Mark Twain In Context provides the fullest introduction in one volume to the multifaceted life and times of one of the most celebrated American writers. It is a collection of short, lively contributions covering a wide range of topics on Twain's life and works. Twain lived during a time of great change, upheaval, progress, and challenge. He rose from obscurity to become what some have called 'the most recognizable person on the planet'. Beyond his contributions to literature, which were hugely important and influential, he was a businessman, an inventor, an advocate for social and political change, and ultimately a cultural icon. Placing his life and work in the context of his age reveals much about both Mark Twain and America in the last half of the nineteenth century, the twentieth century, and the first decades of the twenty-first century.

Part I. Life: 1. Life Gary Scharnhorst
2. Reading Alan Gribben
3. Autobiography John Bird
4. Biographies Kevin Mac Donnell
Part II. Literary Contexts: 5. Southwestern humor Henry B. Wonham
6. Literary comedians David E. E. Sloane
7. Local color and regionalism Joseph A. Alvarez
8. Early periodical writing James Caron
9. Travel writing Jeffrey Melton
10. Short fiction Peter Messent
11. Publishing Bruce Michelson
12. Lectures and speeches Tracy Wuster
13. Contemporary writers Kelly Richardson
14. Realism and naturalism Chad Rohman
Part III. Historical and Cultural Contexts: 15. Politics James S. Leonard
16. Business and economics Lawrence Howe
17. Religion Harold K. Bush
18. Science and technology Nathaniel Williams
19. Race and ethnicity: African Americans Shelley Fisher Fishkin
20. Race and ethnicity: native Americans Kerry Driscoll
21. Race and ethnicity: Chinese Hsuan L. Hsu
22. Cosmopolitanism Ann M. Ryan
23. Gender issues: women and domesticity Laura Skandera-Trombley
24. Gender issues: sexuality Linda A. Morris
25. History Gregg Camfield
26. Animals and animal rights Emily VanDette
27. Nationalism and anti-Imperialism Susan K. Harris
28. Philosophy James Wharton Leonard
Part IV. Reception and Criticism: 29. Contemporary and early reception and criticism (to 1960) Joe B. Fulton
30. Reception and criticism (1960-present) Joseph Csicsila
31. Translation and international reception Selina Lai-Henderson
Part V. Historical, Creative, and Cultural Legacies: 32. Film, television, and theater adaptations R. Kent Rasmussen
33. Copyright, trademark, and brand Judith Yaross Lee
34. Mark Twain sites Hillary Iris Lowe.

Subject Areas: Literary reference works [DSR], Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 [DSBF], Literary studies: general [DSB]