Founders
#312 Mark Twain
Wed Jul 19 2023Mark TwainAmerican literatureHumoristWriterLecturer
Description
The episode explores the life of Mark Twain, from his early years and journey west to his pursuit of wealth in Nevada, career as a writer and lecturer, rise to fame, and personal life. It highlights the challenges he faced, the interesting characters he encountered, and the opportunities that arose after setbacks. Twain's journey west was filled with dangers and hardships, including hostile Indians and diseases. He found success as a writer and humorist, with his first viral hit being 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.' Hawaii played a significant role in his career, and he met important mentors along the way. Despite criticism, Twain's popularity grew, and he had various adventures that shaped his personal life. He believed in constantly reinventing oneself.
Insights
Mark Twain's journey west was filled with dangers and hardships
During his journey west, Mark Twain faced numerous dangers and hardships, including hostile Indians, diseases like cholera and tuberculosis, accidents, natural disasters, and more.
Mark Twain's first big hit was 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County'
Twain struggled with procrastination but eventually wrote the story that became his first viral hit. The success of the story led to more opportunities and opened doors for Twain.
Hawaii played a significant role in Mark Twain's career
In Hawaii, Twain got his greatest scoop and started his public lecture career. He met an American diplomat named Burlingame who became a friend and mentor to him.
Mark Twain believed in constantly reinventing oneself
Despite challenges, Twain produced a remarkable body of work in English literature. He believed in constantly reinventing oneself and exploring new opportunities.
Chapters
- Mark Twain's Early Life and Journey West
- Mark Twain's Journey West and Challenges Faced
- Mark Twain's Pursuit of Wealth in Nevada
- Mark Twain's Career as a Writer and Lecturer
- Mark Twain's Rise to Fame and Personal Life
- Mark Twain's Popularity and Personal Life
Summary
Transcript
Mark Twain's Early Life and Journey West
00:00 - 12:23
- Mark Twain's main theme in life was pursuing greater economic opportunity.
- Twain spent a decade wandering the great cities of the East and Midwest before turning his sights westward.
- He worked as a journeyman printer before becoming a pilot on the Mississippi River.
- The Civil War caused Twain to leave Missouri, as he did not want to fight and had already been conscripted temporarily on both sides.
- Had Twain stayed, it would not have affected the outcome of the war, but it would have reduced the literary inheritance of the United States.
- Twain initially wanted to be a steamboat pilot, but the Civil War rendered that profession too dangerous.
- The war opened up new opportunities for Twain that he couldn't have predicted.
- After losing his job as a riverboat pilot, Twain found his true life's work as a writer and public lecturer.
- Twain chose to continue being Mark Twain instead of going back to being a riverboat pilot after the war.
- He was initially terrified but ultimately made this choice despite his fear.
Mark Twain's Journey West and Challenges Faced
11:54 - 24:38
- Mark Twain was terrified of being arrested and forced to pilot a government gunboat.
- Twain's knowledge of the river made him valuable to both the Confederates and the Union during the Civil War.
- Twain considered becoming a cocaine dealer but changed his plans after meeting his mentor, Captain Horace Bixby.
- Twain learned how to be a steamboat pilot through years of apprenticeship and described it as his greatest achievement.
- Riverboat pilots were highly respected and well-paid during the golden age of steam boating.
- The Civil War disrupted Twain's career as a pilot, leading him to escape and journey west with his brother.
- Traveling west by stagecoach presented challenges for Twain in reaching Nevada Territory.
- Mark Twain's journey west in the 1860s was filled with numerous dangers and hardships, including hostile Indians, diseases like cholera and tuberculosis, accidents, natural disasters, and more.
- The Pony Express was a new technology at the time that aimed to provide faster mail service across the country. It involved horseback riders dashing cross country at breakneck speeds to deliver mail in just 13 days.
- The advertisement for Pony Express riders attracted hundreds of adventure-seeking young men who were willing to risk death daily. The kind of people who responded to the ad were often experienced in dangerous situations.
- Mark Twain encountered interesting characters during his journey west, including a notorious criminal named Slade and Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormons. Twain's account of meeting Brigham Young is believed to be fictional but humorous.
- After arriving in Carson City, Nevada, Mark Twain witnessed a gunfight and a windstorm on his first day. The city was named after explorer Christopher Kit Carson.
Mark Twain's Pursuit of Wealth in Nevada
24:08 - 30:03
- Carson City, the capital of Nevada, was named after explorer Christopher Kit Carson.
- The city was located near the richest silver strike in American history, known as the Comstock Load.
- There was a strong desire to get rich quickly during this time period.
- Mark Twain had many failed businesses and occupations before becoming a writer and lecturer.
- Wells Fargo used live rattlesnakes and formed its own private police force to deter robbers in the 1860s.
- Nevada lawmakers were known for their violent behavior and corruption.
- Twain traveled to different boom towns in search of opportunities to get rich.
- He expected to find easily accessible silver but realized successful mining required hard work and digging deep into the earth.
- People preferred trading paper shares of mines rather than doing actual mining work.
- Twain speculated on shares of mines but soon realized most were worthless.
Mark Twain's Career as a Writer and Lecturer
29:39 - 35:56
- Mark Twain's motivation to succeed was driven by the belief that his current life was not what he wanted.
- Twain had tried multiple occupations and felt like a failure.
- He unexpectedly received a job offer as a staff writer for a newspaper after sending humorous letters to them.
- Twain's first job at the newspaper allowed him to meet important people who gave him valuable advice.
- One of his colleagues advised him to get the facts first before distorting them in his writing, which became a guiding principle for Twain.
- Despite not being a hard worker, Twain made a profit on his work for the newspaper.
- Another piece of advice he received was to speak with unassailable certainty in order to gain people's confidence in his news.
- Working at this newspaper marked the beginning of Twain using the pen name Mark Twain and trusting his instincts throughout his career.
- Twain learned from peers and mentors who played an important role in shaping his career.
- He also believed in not letting any knowledge go to waste, similar to James Cameron's approach of letting ideas simmer for decades.
- Meeting Artemis Ward, an established humorist, influenced Twain's own path as a humorist through writing and speaking.
Mark Twain's Rise to Fame and Personal Life
35:36 - 47:54
- Ward and Twain become popular humorists in America through writing and speaking.
- Ward's show inspires Twain to pursue a similar path.
- Ward gives Twain advice to always strive for the highest level of his profession.
- Ward encourages Twain to write for more sophisticated Eastern publications.
- Twain spends several years in Nevada trying different professions.
- Twain moves to San Francisco but dislikes working as a newspaper reporter.
- Twain's detesting of monotony motivates him to find a new path.
- Twain has a fight with his editor and either quits or gets fired from his job.
- Twain struggles financially and contemplates suicide during this dark period.
- Opportunity arises after loss, leading Twain to continue writing.
- Opportunity often appears after a loss, as it did for Mark Twain.
- Twain's first big hit was the story called 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.'
- Twain struggled with procrastination but eventually wrote the story that became his first viral hit.
- The viral nature of the story caught Twain by surprise, as he didn't think it was that good.
- The success of the story led to more opportunities and opened doors for Twain.
- Hawaii played a significant role in Twain's career, as he got his greatest scoop there and started his public lecture career.
- In Hawaii, Twain met an American diplomat named Burlingame who became a friend and mentor to him.
- Burlingame advised Twain to seek companionship among men of superior intellect and character and refine himself and his work.
Mark Twain's Popularity and Personal Life
53:10 - 58:23
- Mark Twain seeds the audience by having friends strategically placed in the theater to laugh at his jokes and make others laugh.
- After his shows, Mark Twain goes out with the audience and gets drunk.
- As Mark Twain's popularity grows, he starts receiving criticism, but he responds humorously by saying that everyone has a right to their opinion, even if they are an ass.
- Mark Twain's life is filled with various adventures and experiences that shape his career and personal life.
- Mark Twain's trip to Europe leads to the inspiration for his first great publishing success, 'The Innocence Abroad'.
- During his travels, Mark Twain meets Olivia Luis Langdon, who becomes the love of his life.
- Mark Twain and Olivia have a successful marriage and raise three daughters together.
- Despite challenges, Mark Twain produces a remarkable body of work in English literature.
- Mark Twain believes in constantly reinventing oneself.