Happy Hour: Huck Finn’s America: Mark Twain’s Masterpiece and the Era That Shaped His Masterpiece with Andrew Levy

Sponsored by the ESU Indianapolis Branch.
Award-winning author, Dr. Andrew Levy, explores the historical and cultural context in which Mark Twain wrote “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Levy delves into the social issues of Twain’s time, such as race relations, childhood, and the American identity, to provide a deeper understanding of the novel’s themes and its enduring relevance. Levy’s book “Huck Finn’s America: Mark Twain and the Era that Shaped His Masterpiece” examines how Twain’s personal experiences and the political climate of the late 19th century influenced his writing. Levy’s analysis offers a fresh perspective on a classic work, making it accessible and engaging for both scholars and general readers.

This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Indianapolis Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.

About Andrew Levy

Andrew Levy received an M.A. from the Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars in 1986 and a Ph.D. in literature from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. Levy is the Edna Cooper Chair in English at Butler University. He is a distinguished professor and author of 35 books including critically acclaimed works such as “Huck Finn’s America” and “A Brain Wider Than the Sky.” He also directs the Writer’s Studio, the MFA program, and teaches American literature and creative writing at Butler.
Levy has published essays in Harper’s, Dissent, and The American Scholar, book reviews in the Chicago Tribune and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and has written or co-edited several books on American literature and writing. Levy is the winner of the Slatten award for Biography (2005), reviews of his work and public appearances include Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, NPR’s All Things Considered and This American Life, Spin, Sports Illustrated, C-Span, Salon, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and more. Levy lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Siobhan, and their son, Aedan.