20101130 Mark Twain The Father of American Literature (2)

Mark Twain: "The Father of American Literature"

Realizing a dream

Though Clemens liked writing, he had always dreamed of piloting steamboats on the mighty Mississippi River. While in his 20s, he decided to do it, training and then working as a riverboat captain for three years. His experiences left a lasting impression on him and even provided the pen name Mark Twain, which he would later use.

Finding fame

In 1863, Clemens began publishing regularly as Mark Twain, but fame eluded him. Then in 1865 he found success with his short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." However, it was his books about two boys growing up along the Mississippi River that would bring him lasting prominence. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn introduced readers to a child’s world of delightful adventures.

Living on

Twain published over 60 works during his lifetime. Then, as he himself had predicted, he died the same year Halley's comet returned – in 1910. One hundred years ago, the world lost a literary giant. But his words still live on in the lives of America's favorite fictional boys, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

elude v. 逃避/閃避

=> escape, avoid being capture

eg: The deer successfully eluded the tiger and ran into the forest.

=> 這隻鹿成功地閃過老虎跑進森林裡了

elude v. 使…想不起來/難倒某個對象

eg: The details of our contract eluded me.

=> 我看不懂我們契約的細節

eg: A cure for this disease still eludes scientists.

=> 科學家們仍然找不到這個疾病的治療方法

prominence n. 聲望/名聲

=> the quality of being famous

eg: A researcher of prominence will visit our lab today.

=> 一位大名鼎鼎的研究學者今天會來參觀我們的實驗室

eg: The actor gained prominence when he was nominated for an Oscar.

=> 這位演員在被提名奧斯卡金像獎時贏得了聲望

pre- 在...之前

predict v. 預言/預報

=> make a statement about the future

eg: The hurricane was predicted to influence the entire coastal area of Florida.

=> 這場颶風被預報會影響整個佛羅里達州的沿海地區

eg: Many professional analysts predicted that another financial crisis would happen this year.

=> 許多專業的分析師都預言今年還會發生另一次金融危機

pen name 筆名

fame n. 名聲

=> what you have when you are famous

literary adj. 文學的/文藝的

=> something that has to do with literature

//== Chat room ==//

His experience left a lasting impression on him.

impression 印象

lasting impression 深刻的印象

first impression 第一印象、初次的印象

get the wrong impression 誤會、會錯意的意思。

//== Grammar on the go ==//

Then in 1865 he found success with his short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

=> After some time, Mark Twain finally wrote a short story that receive good public opinions.

found success with

=> to become successful in

eg: After trying numerous different diets to loss weight, Katherine finally found success with her current exercise program.

eg: Although Joseph didn't do well in his studies, he did find success with the school's drama club.