Mark Twain

Mart Twain

What book could you read over and over again?

I have read Mark Twain’s works over and over.

Though I have read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel many times, I particularly love Huckleberry Finn. The young vagabond for his moral development in his treatment of Jim, an escaped slave. Though Huck ascribes to the values of the pre-Civil South and believes he should turn Jim in, he chooses to sacrifice his soul rather than betray his friend. I wish we all had Huck’s purity.

Huckleberry Finn

If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn seems to be a most admirable character. Having been brought up motherless by an alcoholic, abusive father, he is objective about relationships but accepting of true friendship. He is totally independent and nonjudgmental as evidenced by his treatment of the slave, Jim. The only time he shows a bit of loneliness is at his and Tom’s funeral when no one welcomes him home but is is accepting of loving kindness when it presents itself.

Mark Twain

If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?

Mark Twain fascinates me. He was a brilliant writer. A student of human nature nature he fearlessly wrote his observations. His multilevel writing enchanted me as a child and continues to fascinate me today. Every time I read his work I find something new to ponder.

Dinner Guest

If I could choose any guest, I’d invite Mark Twain. I love his writing above all others. It seems he’s speaking directly to me. He was so knowledgeable about human nature and put such a fascinating spin on his commentaries. I remember so many of his quotations. My favorite was Huck Finn’s struggle with his conscience about turning Jim, the runaway slave in.

“I’d got to decide, forever betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: ‘Alright, then, I’ll just go to hell’” (Twain 223).