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Folklore in the Works of Mark Twain
Paperback
Literary CriticismMythology & Folklore
ISBN13: 9781025659558
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 94
Weight: 0.32
Height: 0.19 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Folklore in the Works of Mark Twain is a comprehensive scholarly examination of the traditional beliefs, superstitions, and folk customs that permeate the literary output of one of America's most iconic authors. Victor Royce West provides an in-depth analysis of how Mark Twain integrated elements of oral tradition and local mythology into his narratives, character development, and humor. By exploring works such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this study illustrates the profound impact of 19th-century American folklore on Twain's storytelling style.
The text categorizes various folkloric elements, ranging from ghost stories and witchcraft to omens and folk medicine, demonstrating their role in grounding Twain's fiction in the reality of the American experience. This work serves as an essential resource for students of American literature and cultural history, offering insights into the relationship between popular tradition and formal literary craftsmanship. West's research highlights how Twain's use of the vernacular and folk wisdom contributed to the authenticity and enduring appeal of his prose, making this a vital contribution to the understanding of the cultural roots of American literature.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
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