Questions and Answers for The Gilded Age
The Gilded Age
Why did Mark Twain use the term "gilded" to define an entire era?
There is good reason why Mark Twain (and fellow writer Charles Dudley) would have referred to an entire age using the word "gilded." The term "gilded" is defined by Dictionary.com in a manner that...
The Gilded Age
What is Mark Twain's view of religion in his novel The Gilded Age?
Mark Twain, as a satirist, is known for peeling away the layers of polite society and examining the flaws underneath. In The Gilded Age, Twain uses his deep understanding of the human condition to...
The Gilded Age
What American national stereotypes are Twain and Dudley satirizing or praising in the main characters?
There is a complex relationship that Twain and Dudley hold towards national stereotypes. The "gilding" element is essential in this understanding. Gilding seeks to further adorn something "already...