Pudd'nhead Wilson (eBook)

Mark Twain, the revered pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, stands as one of America's most celebrated humorists and writers. Born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri, Twain grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River, an area that would later become the setting for some of his most famous works. He ventured into various professions before fully embracing his calling as a writer, drawing from his rich experiences as a printer, riverboat pilot, and miner, experiences which imbued him with an intimate understanding of the American landscape and psyche. Twain's oeuvre includes such classics as 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' with the latter often heralded as the 'Great American Novel.' In 'Pudd'nhead Wilson' (1894), Twain employs his trademark satirical wit to explore themes of identity and societal norms against the backdrop of the antebellum South. The work is acclaimed for its innovative use of a murder mystery to examine issues of race and the absurdity of racial distinctions. Twain's distinctive literary style—marked by a deft blend of social satire, humor, and realism—has had an enduring influence on American literature. His acerbic wit and incisive social critiques remain as relevant today as they were over a century ago. Twain passed away on April 21, 1910, but left behind a legacy that continues to captivate and provoke.