Hucleberry Finn

1. With your life being full of adventures, is there anything that you regret doing or not doing during your life journey?

In response: My life was full of adventures some good, some better than good, and some not so great. There is not anything that I regret doing during my life journey, however I do wish I could have been buried by a River instead of at Woodlawn Cemetery in NY. That way I would be closer to what I liked instead of in the middle of Town, being my favorite places to be were Hannibal, and the Mississippi River.  Other than that I would not change a thing.

1. What do you think of Twain scholar Alan Gribben and NewSouth Books rewriting your masterpiece by removing the ‘N’ word, and the word Injun?

In response: I do not appreciate another person changing what took me years to perfect! I understand America’s economy and environments have changed since my time, but my masterpiece is a part of my history. How would these people like it if they were in my position? I do not believe they would be thrilled about someone changing the facts of history from the way they had seen America then.

1. What influenced you to write The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

In response: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn took me many years to write, I often put this work aside to work on other pieces. This particular piece was influenced by my life experiences. As we have previously stated, my life was full of adventure. This particular story follows from what childhood friends and I experienced. It is based on the difficult racial tensions of our time. Life on the Mississippi depicted my real life experiences as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. So as you can tell my own life influence my writing.

1. Why did you make Huck so young when he stopped receiving a school education, and what do you think of how education experiences have changed over the past 1000 years?

In response: I myself did not stay in school long after turning 12; with my father passing away unexpectedly I had to become a man faster to help out with supporting my family. Once again similar to my own experiences, another reason to make Huck more like myself I guess. From the information I can gather the education experience now has changed drastically. I am glad that all the active learners are able to receive a better education today then what I received. There are more jobs available more money to be made, but I have to say the stuff I bought was cheaper then what you are buying today!

1. What made you decide that you wanted to be called Mark Twain instead of your birth name Samuel Langhorne Clemens?

In response: As you know I loved the river, the name Mark Twain came from a riverboat. I became a pilot of the river as you know. It took me a few years to accomplish this dream, but I did, and because of piloting it gave me the pen name Mark Twain. I enjoyed the water so much having my name the same as a symbol of water was a good fit for me.

1. What was your most painful moment in life?

In response: Life itself can be painful at any given time; however I have to say the most painful life experiences would have to be losing 3 of my 4 children before I passed away. My only son passed at 19 months, one daughter was 24 while the other was 29 when they passed. My child Clara survived passed my life span, she was the only left being my wife passed the year before I did. At least I had the time that I did have with them, but all of these losses did cause pain to my heart.