Abstract

Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, remains one of the most outstanding novelists and humorists in American literature history. His novels have received world-wide comments and appreciation. The characters in his woks vary from ordinary people to politicians and principal citizens. Unlike the traditional European humor literature, Mark Twain preferred to write about his own personal experiences that he learned from firsthand experience. As a novelist, humorist and speaker, Mark Twain was talented and contributed a lot to American and world literature development. He used his pen and works to expose and criticize the reality and darkness of American life in his era. His works witnessed the US evolution from capitalism to imperialism, they filled with both humor and satire, and always have profound ideological content, forming his unique literary style, which is the outstanding treasure of American literature field and is popular all over the world.

This thesis aims to help readers to have a deeper understanding of Mark Twain and his works. Through analyzing and appreciating his novel The Million Pound Note, readers can learn the work’s theme, the real dark life of America in the late nineteenth century and the author’s criticism on capitalist society. Moreover, social function and significance of Mark Twain’s skills and characteristics of humor literature will be represented so that readers may enjoy the artistic gleam of his distinctive writing style.

Keywords:  Mark Twain  The Million Pound  satire  humor 

Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Research on Mark Twain-1

1.2 A Brief Introduction to The Million Pound Note-1

1.3 Literature Review-2

1.4 Significance of the Study-3

1.5 The Composition of the Thesis-3

Chapter Two Mark Twain’s Humor and Satire-4

2.1 The Definition of Humor-4

2.2 General Introduction of Mark Twain’s Humor and Satire-4

2.3 Mark Twain’s Humor and Satire at Different Times-5

Chapter Three Humor and Satire Reflected in the Work-6

3.1 Characters Description and Contrast-6

3.1.1 The Description of Henry Adam-6

3.1.2 The Snobbishness of the General Public-6

3.2 The Composition of Plots-7

3.3 Mark Twain’s Language Art-8

Chapter Four Humor’s Significance and Influence-10

4.1 Significance of Mark Twain’s Humor-10

4.2 Functions of Mark Twain’s Humor-10

4.3 Influence of Mark Twain’s humor on World Literature-11

Chapter Five Conclusion-12

References-13