MarkTwain(1835-1910)–we’veallheardthename,butwhatmakesh...

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Mark Twain (1835-1910) – we’ve all heard the name, But what makes him “the father of American literature” as classic US author William Faulkner once called him?

Mark Twain is someone Americans are taught to love. Older relatives, English teachers and the media always praise him. But when you actually take the time to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you find that his work is more wonderful than you could have ever imagined.

The novel describes a young boy named Tom Sawyer growing up in a small town along the Mississippi River. He explores the countryside on a riverboat with his friends, falls in love with girls, starts secret clubs and searches for treasure. Twain’s idea of childhood is magical – a time of imagination, wonder and, of course, adventure.

More importantly, through the eyes of Tom Sawyer, Twain cleverly makes fun of US culture. For instance, Tom hates going to church, and Twain uses scenes of Tom there to mock religion and its old traditions. “Often, the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it,” he writes in one chapter.

Twain’s writing is full of these kinds of critical (批判的) points about culture and politics. That’s why he is so loved in the US – he wasn’t afraid to state his opinions, and he did so clearly.

For instance, Twain didn’t like US wars abroad. In 1900, after the US invaded(入侵) the Philippines, Twain wrote in a newspaper article: “We do not intend to free, but to rule the people of the Philippines….”

He also believed strongly in women’s right to vote in elections and gave a famous speech on the subject, called “Votes for Women”, in 1901.

“Tom was a glittering hero once more — the pet of the old, the envy of the young,” Twain writes in Tom Sawyer. But he could just as well be describing himself.

24. After reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you are likely to think _______ according to the author.

A. it’s not worth all the praise B. it’s even better than you expected

C. it’s as wonderful as you expected D. it’s better to read it with teachers

25. In the third paragraph, the author mainly _______.

A. indicates what makes Tom Sawyer’s adventures so wonderful

B. explains where Twain’s idea of childhood comes from

C. shows how naughty and adventurous Tom Sawyer is

D. gives a brief description of the novel

26. What does the underlined word “mock” mean?

A. make fun of B. show respect for C. give examples of D. give reasons for

27. Twain is so loved in the US because ______.

A. he showed readers a magical childhood that everyone would love