Mark Twain

Analyze Twain’s shifting attitude toward imperialism over the course of his life. How does Chernow trace the evolution from a “red-hot imperialist” to a fierce critic of American and European colonial ventures?

Examine the role of humor as social critique in Twain’s career. How does Chernow show Twain balancing entertainment and moral seriousness? How does his use of humor evolve over the course of his career?

How does Chernow’s analyze Twain’s relationship with the literary culture of his time? How does Twain’s writing and career reflect the dynamics of publishing, literary fame, and/or literary trends during the era?

Explore Twain’s self-fashioning as a celebrity in the Gilded Age. How does Chernow depict Twain’s mastery of public image, lecture tours, and the press? Discuss whether Twain’s relentless pursuit of fame undermined or supported his artistic and moral ambitions.

Assess the impact of personal tragedy on Twain’s worldview and writing, as chronicled by Chernow. How did the deaths of his wife and daughters reshape his philosophical outlook, tone, and/or themes?

Twain once described himself as “not an American but the American.” Discuss how Chernow portrays Twain as an embodiment of national contradictions—democratic idealism and racism, optimism and cynicism, commercialism and artistry. How does the biography use Twain’s life to critique the broader American experience?

Evaluate Chernow’s use of primary sources, such as Twain’s letters, notebooks, and autobiographical dictations. How does the biographer balance narrative storytelling with scholarly evidence? What are the strengths and weaknesses of his methodology?

Twain’s late-life writings show deep pessimism about human nature and religion. How does Chernow contextualize this shift?