This lecture will examine the work of Mark Twain, one of the era's most significant literary figures, in the context of "literary realism," a label commonly used for the historical period between the Civil War and World War I. It aims to familiarize students with the writer and his work, shedding light on his impact on American literature and beyond. At the same time, it will explore the complexities and potential pitfalls inherent in the use of broad literary classifications such as "realism."

Lecture by Prof. Dr. Holger Kersten from Universität Halle-Wittenberg