Samuel Langhorne Clemens: The Father Of American Literature

891 Words4 Pages
Samuel Langhorne Clemens is considered to be the Father of American Literature. However, there is not a single book written under his name. Every book he wrote was under his pen name, Mark Twain. Mark Twain should be taught to students at Alexandria Area High School because many of his books are based off of real life events that actually happened (Youngblood 4-5). This fact means that his books are more than just stories; they contain important lessons that should be taught to students. Samuel Clemens was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. His father, John Clemens was not a very good father and was rather distant. He owned a small general store as well as provided some legal services. His mother, Jane Clemens was very nice and…show more content…
Pleasant died at the age of three months, Margaret died at the age of nine due to a sudden fever, and Benjamin died at the age of ten (Aller 12-15). When Samuel Clemens was born he was born two months earlier than expected and was often in poor health while he was growing up. During this time it was not uncommon for people to die from diseases. His sister died from a fever when he was four, and when he was eight there was a measles epidemic. Measles, which were deadly back then, killed more than one fifth of the town’s population. Clemens was so frightened by the measles that he purposely exposed himself to them by sharing a bed with his friend Will Bowen, who already had them just to ease his anxiety (Quirk). Shortly after, he got the measle virus and had a very high fever with red spots all over his body. People came to pay their respects and say goodbye, but all of sudden his fever went down and he managed to get better. His poor health would later affect the way he wrote his books. To add to his poor health he also had a terrible time at school. He once wrote, “My childhood was filled with warm and wonderful memories. None of these happy memories however, took place inside a schoolhouse”
Show More
Related

  • American Literary Summary: The American History Of American Literature

    1972 Words  | 8 Pages

    INTRODUCTION AMERICAN LITERATURE American literature is the literature written or produced in the area of the United States and its preceding colonies. During its early history America was a series of British colonies on the eastern coast of the present day United States. Therefore it is literary tradition of English literature. However, unique American characteristics and the breadth of its production usually now cause it to be considered a separate path and tradition. The New England colonies

    Read More

More about Samuel Langhorne Clemens: The Father Of American Literature

Open Document