How did Mark Twain make his money?
Twain earned a great deal of money from his writings and lectures, but he invested in ventures that lost most of it—such as the Paige Compositor, a mechanical typesetter that failed because of its complexity and imprecision.
What things are most important to Tom Sawyer?
While there are several important themes in Tom Sawyer, one of the most important might be personal freedom. Tom spends much of the book trying to escape societal convention, and pushing back against authority whenever and wherever he can.
How did the death of Twain’s daughter affect him?
His youngest daughter, Jean, was diagnosed with severe epilepsy. In 1909, when she was 29 years old, Jean died of a heart attack. For many years, Twain’s relationship with middle daughter Clara was distant and full of quarrels.
How does Tom Sawyer change over the course of the story?
How does Tom Sawyer change over the course of the story? The beginning of the novel shows Tom as a crafty, intelligent, and imaginative boy with excellent theatrical skills and an intuitive understanding of human nature. Tom’s disregard of his own interest prepares us for even greater transformations in his character.
What caused Mark Twain’s debt?
Twain filed for bankruptcy in 1894 following failed business. As he did not like his current publisher he decided to publish his work himself. Twain was forced to file bankruptcy after running out of money to fund the machine and keep his publishing business open.
What conflict or problem does Tom Sawyer face in the story?
major conflict Tom and Huck perceive their biggest struggle to be between themselves and Injun Joe, whose gold they want and whom they believe is out to kill them. Conflict also exists between Tom and his imaginative world and the expectations and rules of adult society.
Why did Samuel Clemens and his family move to Europe?
In an effort to economize and pay back his debts‚ Sam and Livy moved their family to Europe in 1891. When his publishing company failed in 1894‚ Sam was forced to set out on a worldwide lecture tour to earn money.
What was Mark Twain’s struggle as a writer?
Another cause of his angst, perhaps, was his unconscious anger at himself for not giving undivided attention to his deepest creative instincts, which centered on his Missouri boyhood. In 1889, Twain published A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, a science-fiction/historical novel about ancient England.