Mark Twain possessed a rare ability to both entertain and make profound points simultaneously. Generally speaking, when I hear a speaker, or read an author who is profound, they are boring; the reverse is also true, if a presenter is entertaining then they generally lack depth. When Mark Twain spoke, or wrote he was never boring and there was always a point beyond the superficial surface of what he was speaking or writing. This unique gift for presenting material that was dual-natured allowed Twain to make an impact on many people, myself included, where others could not. He could keep audiences captivated with comedy and intrigued with depth. One great example of Twain's unique style is when he proposed, "Such is the human race, often it seems a pity that Noah and his party did not miss the boat." With this quip he made me laugh out loud, and at the same time solemnly and sadly consider the nature of human beings. 
With Twain's entertaining and profound words, he was able to bridge a gap that existed between the higher and lower social classes. He was able to paint a picture of the world that the readers of his time were living in, both rich and poor. He did this by using colloquial language, irreverence, and strong satire. If you look at his character Tom Sawyer, you can see a young America personified. Tom Sawyer was raised in a very proper home, yet he was an outlaw who snuck out late at night to do things his own way, in spite of his proper origins. In this way Tom Sawyer represented, and was a hero to, all Americans, who despite roots to Europe, wanted to do things their own way, and on their own terms regardless of social class. Young Tom was, and is, an irreverent champion to Americans. Twain showed us with Tom Sawyer what it is to be free. Sawyer embodied the quote by Mark Twain, "Irreverence is the champion of liberty."
With Twain's entertaining and profound words, he was able to bridge a gap that existed between the higher and lower social classes. He was able to paint a picture of the world that the readers of his time were living in, both rich and poor. He did this by using colloquial language, irreverence, and strong satire. If you look at his character Tom Sawyer, you can see a young America personified. Tom Sawyer was raised in a very proper home, yet he was an outlaw who snuck out late at night to do things his own way, in spite of his proper origins. In this way Tom Sawyer represented, and was a hero to, all Americans, who despite roots to Europe, wanted to do things their own way, and on their own terms regardless of social class. Young Tom was, and is, an irreverent champion to Americans. Twain showed us with Tom Sawyer what it is to be free. Sawyer embodied the quote by Mark Twain, "Irreverence is the champion of liberty."
My favorite attribute that that Mark Twain possessed was his incredible sense of humor. A wise man named Jean de La Bruyère said, "Life is a tragedy to those who feel, and a comedy to those who think." Twain was a deep thinker, and gave humanity a gift to be able to see the world through his eyes. The comedic perspective that leaps off of the page at me when I read Twain's words, has taught me to laugh at the human predicament. I don't feel I should laugh because everything is funny, but because as Mark Twain said, "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."
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