Mark Twain and metaphor

Abstract

theory, observes John Bird, is like Twain: both seem simple upon first introduction. Now, in the most complete study to date of Twain s use of figurative language, a veteran Twain scholar tackles the core of his writing explores it with theoretical approaches that have rarely been applied to Twain, providing new insights into how he imagined his world the singular ways in which he expressed himself. From Jumping Frog to the late dream narratives, Bird considers Twain s metaphoric construction over his complete career especially sheds new light on his central texts: Roughing It; Adventures of Tom Sawyer; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur s Court; Pudd nhead Wilson; and No. 44, The Mysterious Stranger. He reconsiders Old Times on the Mississippi as the most purely metaphorical of Twain s writings, goes on to look at how Twain used metaphor talked about it in a variety of works genres, even argues that Clemens s pseudonym is not so much an alter ego as a metaphorized self.By offering insight into how Twain handled figurative language during the composing process, Bird reveals not only hidden facets of his artistry but also new aspects of works that we think we know well including some entirely new ideas regarding Huck Finn that draw on the recent discovery of the first half of the manuscript. In addition to dealing with issues currently central to Twain studies, such as race gender, he also links metaphor to humor dream theory to further illuminate topics central to his work. More than a study of Twain s language, the book delves into the psychological aspects of metaphor to reveal the writer s attitudes thoughts, showing how using metaphor as a guide to Twain reveals much about his composition process. Applying the insights of metaphor theorists such as Roman Jakobson Colin M. Turbayne, Bird offers readers not only new insights into Twain but also an introduction to this interdisciplinary field. In lively prose, Mark Twain Metaphor provides a vital way to read Twain s entire corpus, allowing readers to better appreciate his style, humor, obsession with dreams. It opens new ground makes old ground fresh again, offering ways to see resee this essential American writer.