How the Author was Sold in Newark
The narrative recounts a personal experience of the speaker, who reflects on a recent lecture delivered in Newark. The speaker is approached by a young man who expresses deep concern for his emotionally detached uncle, pleading for assistance in evoking laughter or tears from him. Moved by the young man's distress, the speaker agrees to try to elicit an emotional response during the lecture. On the night of the event, the uncle is seated prominently in the audience. The speaker employs a variety of comedic techniques, ranging from mild to extreme, in an effort to provoke a reaction. Despite the speaker's fervent attempts, the uncle remains completely unresponsive, failing to smile or shed a tear. The speaker becomes increasingly frustrated and exhausted, culminating in a final desperate attempt to elicit a response. After the lecture, the president of the society informs the speaker that the uncle is deaf, dumb, and blind, revealing that the speaker's efforts were futile from the start. The speaker expresses indignation at being misled by the young man, feeling wronged for having been made to believe he could help. The narrative highlights themes of miscommunication, the absurdity of expectations, and the speaker's realization of the futility of his efforts. The tone is both humorous and self-deprecating, as the speaker grapples with the irony of the situation.
By Mark Twain · First published 1885 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Autobiographical · 680 words
First lines
[Written about 1869.]
What this Textopian page supports
How the Author was Sold in Newark is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mark Twain, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mark Twain
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Satire, Autobiographical, Short Story, Social Commentary
- Length: 680 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How the Author was Sold in Newark by Mark Twain
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering How the Author was Sold in Newark?
- How does this short story by Mark Twain fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
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- Information Wanted by Mark Twain
Genres
- Humor — The narrative is centered around comedic attempts to elicit laughter, showcasing Twain's signature humor.
- Satire — The story critiques social expectations and the absurdity of the situation, typical of Twain's satirical style.
- Autobiographical — The author reflects on personal experiences and confessions, blending autobiography with storytelling.
- Short Story — The work is concise and structured as a brief narrative, fitting the short story format.
Tags
American Literature · Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Fiction · Novel · 19th Century · Realism · Critique of Society · Commentary on Politics · Commentary on Economics · Commentary on Culture