MARK TWAIN: The iconic American
Our popular lectures explore the social, literary and private life of Mark Twain. We can add or change topics to suit your mood, audience, or current events. Years of research, writing, and performing goes into every lecture. And our Q&A session allows audience participation in unique ways.
Our founder is an Independent Twain Scholar who has been studying the author for more than four decades. Following is a list of current lecture topics. Each runs 45 minutes and is followed by a Q&A. These lectures are available individually or as a series over time. If you don’t see the topic you would like presented, let’s discuss it.
- MARK TWAIN: A Brutally Brief Biography
- THE COMEDY AND TRAGEDY OF MARK TWAIN: Comedians often cite – or are cited for – addictive behavior, depression, and tragedy as a source of their humor. This lecture explores Twain’s experience
- MARK TWAIN’S THEMES: An Examination of Twain’s Writing and Performing Processes and Major Themes
- TWAIN’S CHARACTERS: Characters are most effective when based on real people. In this lecture, we look at the folks who inspired Twain’s characters.
- MARK TWAIN IN BUSINESS: The Idiot’s Guide to Chasing Rainbows
- THE PLAYS OF MARK TWAIN: Successes, failures and the secrets of longevity
- CLEMENS FAMILY PORTRAIT: We explore what it was like to live and socialize with Mark Twain
- THE POLITICS OF MARK TWAIN: Changing times call for severing ties and rethinking alliances
- RELIGION ACCORDING TO MARK TWAIN: The author was raised on Fire and Brimstone. Tragedy predicted his conversion to Agnosticism.