Ep 7. Mark Twain: Part 1

Mark Twain: Part 1 is the seventh episode of the first season of Ken Burns: American Lives. The episode provides a look into the life and career of the famed American author and humorist, Mark Twain.

The episode opens with narration by actor Keith David as footage of the mighty Mississippi River and the small town of Hannibal, Missouri, where Twain was raised, fills the screen. The narration provides background on Twain's upbringing, describing him as a witty but mischievous child who was constantly getting into trouble.

As the episode progresses, it delves deeper into Twain's formative years, focusing on his apprenticeship as a printer and his experience as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. Interviews with Twain scholars and biographers, including Ron Powers and Shelley Fisher Fishkin, help to contextualize these experiences and provide insight into how they influenced Twain's writing.

The episode explores some of Twain's early work, including his travelogue The Innocents Abroad and his short story "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," which brought him national attention and established him as a rising star in American literature.

The episode also touches on some of Twain's personal struggles during this time, including the death of his brother and the failure of his publishing house. Despite these setbacks, he continued to write and pursue his passion for literature.

As the episode draws to a close, it sets the stage for the second part of the Mark Twain saga, which will explore his later life and the legacy he left behind as one of America's most beloved writers.

Overall, Mark Twain: Part 1 provides a fascinating look into the life and early career of a uniquely American literary icon. With beautiful visuals, insightful interviews, and engaging storytelling, it offers a compelling portrait of Twain's formative years and offers a glimpse into the events and experiences that shaped his writing and his life.