# Monday, April 9, 1906 explained — The Autobiography of Mark Twain

> Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain.

## What happens

Mark Twain receives a letter from a French girl enclosing a cablegram about the Brooklyn Public Library's decision to restrict 'Huckleberry Finn' and 'Tom Sawyer' for children under fifteen. He reflects on the history of censorship of these books, including earlier bans in Concord and Denver. Twain recounts his correspondence with Asa Don Dickinson, a librarian who defended the books, and his own satirical letter comparing Huck's character to biblical figures. The chapter ends with Twain's wry observation that censorship only gives Huck more opportunity to cause mischief.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Human Nature

Twain satirizes the moral panic over Huck Finn, comparing Huck's character unfavorably to biblical figures like Solomon and David, and mocking the purists who object to Huck's language.

### Character and Morality

Twain defends Huck's moral choices, such as deciding to 'go to hell' rather than betray Jim, and critiques the double standards of those who condemn Huck while accepting biblical stories.

## Character check-ins

### Mark Twain

Dictates the chapter, reflects on the censorship of his books, and corresponds with Asa Don Dickinson.

### Tom Sawyer

Mentioned as a character in the banned books; Twain notes Tom is over thirty years old.

### Asa Don Dickinson

Librarian who wrote to Twain about the censorship and defended Huckleberry Finn.

## Key lines

> I know your pen well. I know it has never been dipped in anything but clean, clear ink.

The French girl expresses confidence that Twain's writing is morally pure.

_Twain quotes the French girl's letter defending his work._

> The mind that becomes soiled in youth can never again be washed clean; I know this by my own experience, and to this day I cherish an unappeasable bitterness against the unfaithful guardians of my young life, who not only permitted but compelled me to read an unexpurgated Bible through before I was 15 years old.

Twain argues that exposing children to the Bible is more harmful than his books, citing his own childhood trauma.

_Twain's satirical letter to Dickinson, using hyperbole to criticize censorship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-monday-april-9-1906
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters