The Revolutionary Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain

Abstract

Renowned American author Mark Twain once said, “Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing” (Paine 1556). Throughout his writings during the US Civil War and post-war era, Twain used this ‘blessing’ to express his unpopular views on racial and gender equality. Specifically, Twain expertly drew upon humor throughout works such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to criticize slavery and promote women’s suffrage. Through his writings, Twain radically challenged how Americans perceived these important social justice issues and thereby left a lasting legacy on American culture.