Mark Twain was a famous 19th century American author known for embracing American individualism in his works. He published over 30 books in his lifetime that explored themes of freedom, equality, and challenging social restraints. His most famous works, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, told stories of young boys rebelling against societal norms and pursuing their own paths. Through his characters' struggles with issues like slavery and injustice, Twain advocated for individualism and equal treatment under just rules. To this day, he remains one of the most studied authors in America for his expression of ideals central to American identity.

1. American Individualism
“Are you An AmericAn?
no, i Am the AmericAn.”
- mArk twAin

2. Quick Bio…..
 Mark Twain aka Samuel
L. Clemons
 Mark Twain was one of
his many pen names
 Remembered for his all
over white hair and white
suit
 He was not only a great
writer, author, humorist
but also an exceptional
lecturer.
1835-1910

3. Accomplishments
 Published more than 30
books over his lifetime
 Innocents Abroad
(1869)
 The Prince and the
Pauper (1882)
 Roughing It (1872)
 The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer (1876)
 Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn (1884)

4. What is American
Individualism? the
“That each individual shall be given
chance and stimulation for development of
the best with which he has been endowed
in hear and mind; it is the sole source of
progress, it is American individualism.”
- Herbert Hoover
Former President

5. American Individualism
 FREEDOM
 from the restraints of society’s ideals or precepts
 to make your own choices
 to pursue happiness
 to pursue wealth
 EQUALITY
 All status’ and races
are equal

6. The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer
 About a brave young American boy
searching for freedom from social rules
and restraints.
 Major Themes
 Moral and Social Maturation
 Society’s Hypocrisy and Intolerance

7. Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn
 Quick Facts  Major Themes
 Sequel to The  Struggles of race
Adventures of Tom and identity
Sawyer  Slavery
 Not published  Social restraints and
until 1885 conformities
 Most banned book in  Establishing and
history expressing your own
 Most memorable personal conscience
character in literature

8. Protagonist
 Huck Finn
 Rebellious, young boy
 First character to embrace American
Individualism
 Rebellious to society’s constraints and
restrictions
 Struggled with his own personal perceptions
of slavery

9. Twain’s use of Individualism
 Through his depiction of slavery and his
intolerance of unfair treatment is prominent in a
number of his works.
 Social status, amount of wealth, and amount of
power are also common subjects. Individual
calls for all to be equal.
 Unjust favoritism or injustice are also prevalent
themes. Twain’s individual calls for just sound
rules and regulations.

10. Effects on Today
 Mark Twain is still one of the most commonly read
authors around the world.
 Nearly 100 years after his death he is still making
headlines on popular magazines, such as Time.
 Google one of today’s most popular internet search
engines recently featured a Mark Twain scene on
their iconic Google logo.

11. Still Honored Today
 There are a number of statues of Mark Twain
around the United States today.
 His family home in Hartford, CT is preserved
today as a landmark and museum.

12. Mark Twain- The American
 Mark Twain will forever leave a legacy for his
readers.
 He was the first author to express his American
individualism ideals throughout his literary
works.
 There will never be another American author
quite like him or his works.
 Ernest Hemingway once said “All modern
American literature comes from one book, Huck
Finn.”