Mark Twain the Character
Many of Mark Twain's earlier works, such as his novels Innocents Abroad (1869) and Roughing It (1872), featured Twain himself as the simultaneous author, narrator, and character in his stories. However, Twain began to distance his own literary voice and opinions more from readers as his career progressed; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was one of his first works narrated completely by someone else. Huck Finn narrates his own story in the novel, allowing readers to experience the perspective of a young and uneducated Missouri boy living in the 1840's.
The only role that Twain plays in the novel is that of the author, and only before the story begins does he give his own brief opinion about its content. In his "EXPLANATORY" note concerning the different dialects in the novel (see Changes in Language), Twain signs it as "The Author". Other than this instance, the author does not directly credit his own voice or opinion in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain does also include the "NOTICE" (pictured above) as a humorous anecdote before the story begins, which appears as one of the frontispieces of the novel. However, it is signed "BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR Per G.G., CHIEF OF ORDNANCE" rather than by Twain himself. Twain's own voice is hidden behind that of G.G., a mysterious and unknown voice whose identity is still disputed among scholars today.
As another frontispiece in the 1st edition of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a photo of a bust of Mark Twain appears (pictured above), a last reminder of the author before the story commences. Though this photo invokes Twain's presence, it is only a representation of Twain, rather than an actual image of his face. While Mark Twain does briefly appear at the beginning of his novel through the two anecdotes and the photo, he seems to be overall somewhat hidden from view, a large step away from his usual role as character and voice of narration in his works. Once the story begins, narrated by Huck,Twain's presence in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remains absent.
The only role that Twain plays in the novel is that of the author, and only before the story begins does he give his own brief opinion about its content. In his "EXPLANATORY" note concerning the different dialects in the novel (see Changes in Language), Twain signs it as "The Author". Other than this instance, the author does not directly credit his own voice or opinion in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain does also include the "NOTICE" (pictured above) as a humorous anecdote before the story begins, which appears as one of the frontispieces of the novel. However, it is signed "BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR Per G.G., CHIEF OF ORDNANCE" rather than by Twain himself. Twain's own voice is hidden behind that of G.G., a mysterious and unknown voice whose identity is still disputed among scholars today.
As another frontispiece in the 1st edition of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a photo of a bust of Mark Twain appears (pictured above), a last reminder of the author before the story commences. Though this photo invokes Twain's presence, it is only a representation of Twain, rather than an actual image of his face. While Mark Twain does briefly appear at the beginning of his novel through the two anecdotes and the photo, he seems to be overall somewhat hidden from view, a large step away from his usual role as character and voice of narration in his works. Once the story begins, narrated by Huck,Twain's presence in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remains absent.
In contrast to the novel, Big River includes Mark Twain in his own story by making him a character in it. Twain as a character first appears at the very start of the play; his stage direction reads: "Mark Twain appears, smoking a cigar and standing before the frontispiece of Huckleberry Finn" (Hauptman 1). The same "NOTICE" from the novel appears onstage, a direct use of Twain's own words and humor to begin the play. The cigar smoking, as well as the white suit costume, invoke the legendary image of Mark Twain, making Twain's identity clear to the audience, without the need for him to speak any lines.
However, this first appearance is not the extent of Twain's role in Big River. His character appears again later in scene one, during the song "Do Ya Wanna Go To Heaven?" Twain observes in the background as the St. Petersburg townspeople instruct Huck in the importance of going to school and reading the Bible. This second silent appearance suggests that Twain is watching over his story to see how it progresses, without expressing his own opinions. Readers of the original novel would not necessarily have access to this observant Twain lingering in the background, because of the limitations of the written word. The onstage setting of the musical gives audiences the ability to tangibly see Twain as a real presence in the story.
The Mark Twain character appears once more in Big River, in act two, this time acting as the doctor who tends to Tom Sawyer's bullet-wounded leg. This role includes speaking parts, giving Twain a voice within the story; this also provides dramatic irony, as the audience recognizes that the doctor is Twain, while the other characters do not. Significantly, this last appearance comes near the end of the play. Twain's appearances at the beginning, and again at the end of the musical, frame the story as to suggest Twain's constant presence and important influence as its original author. Overall, the inclusion of Twain as a character in Big River works as a tribute to the author, reminding the audience of the man who originally imagined Huck Finn and his world of adventure.
However, this first appearance is not the extent of Twain's role in Big River. His character appears again later in scene one, during the song "Do Ya Wanna Go To Heaven?" Twain observes in the background as the St. Petersburg townspeople instruct Huck in the importance of going to school and reading the Bible. This second silent appearance suggests that Twain is watching over his story to see how it progresses, without expressing his own opinions. Readers of the original novel would not necessarily have access to this observant Twain lingering in the background, because of the limitations of the written word. The onstage setting of the musical gives audiences the ability to tangibly see Twain as a real presence in the story.
The Mark Twain character appears once more in Big River, in act two, this time acting as the doctor who tends to Tom Sawyer's bullet-wounded leg. This role includes speaking parts, giving Twain a voice within the story; this also provides dramatic irony, as the audience recognizes that the doctor is Twain, while the other characters do not. Significantly, this last appearance comes near the end of the play. Twain's appearances at the beginning, and again at the end of the musical, frame the story as to suggest Twain's constant presence and important influence as its original author. Overall, the inclusion of Twain as a character in Big River works as a tribute to the author, reminding the audience of the man who originally imagined Huck Finn and his world of adventure.