Mark Twain: On Masturbation
Enriched edition. Some Thoughts on the Science of OnanismBy Mark Twain
Length1h 28m
About this audiobook
Mark Twain's "On Masturbation" presents a provocative exploration of human sexuality, embodying the author's characteristic wit and incisive social commentary. Written with a blend of humor and pathos, Twain delves into the religious and cultural stigmas surrounding masturbation during the late 19th century, reflecting the Victorian moral landscape. Utilitarian in style, the text serves as both a critique of contemporary attitudes and a candid admission of natural human impulses, offering readers a glimpse into the complexity of personal and societal views on sexual health and self-pleasure. Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was a keen observer of American society, using his razor-sharp intellect to dissect the contradictions inherent in human behavior. Twain's own experiences and the societal norms of his time undoubtedly influenced his foray into this contentious topic, as his diverse body of work consistently sought to challenge hypocrisy, encourage open discourse, and promote a deeper understanding of humanity's follies. His unique blend of humor and earnestness positions him as a quintessential figure in American literature. "On Masturbation" is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersections of sexuality, morality, and cultural critique. Twain's audacious, yet thoughtful exploration of a taboo subject invites readers to consider the broader implications of sexual self-expression within the constraints of societal expectations. This book is both a curiously entertaining and enlightening addition to the pantheon of literary works addressing the complexities of human nature.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.8 (1.4K)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, StoryGraph, LibraryThing
GenreHumor
Length1 hr 28 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 24, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
6Mark Twain: On Masturbation
2Introduction
7Analysis
3Synopsis
8Reflection
4Historical Context
9Memorable Quotes
5Author Biography
North vs. South: 40+ Civil War Novels, Stories & History BooksMark Twain, Joseph A. Altsheler, Winston Churchill, Ambrose Bierce, John William De Forest, G. A. Henty, María Ruiz de Burton, Thomas Dixon Jr., George Washington Cable, Harry Hazelton, Ellen Glasgow, B. K. Benson, Robert W. Chambers, George W. Peck, Byron A. Dunn, John Esten Cooke, John R. Musick, W. H. Shelton, Charles King, Henry F. Keenan, Jules Verne, Natalie Sumner Lincoln, Randall Parrish, John McElroy, Charles Carleton Coffin, Lucy Foster Madison, Edward Robins, Edward Everett Hale, James Ford Rhodes436h 1m$1.99 · $0.00
Mark Twain: Meine Reise um die WeltMark Twain17h 32m4.1 (108)$2 · $0.00
Die Abenteuer Tom Sawyers (Zweisprachige Ausgabe: Deutsch-Englisch)Mark Twain16h 36m$1 · $0.00
Ausgewählte amerikanische KurzgeschichtenMark Twain, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Bret Harte, O. Henry, Ambrose Bierce, Herman Melville18h 34m4.2 (31)$1 · $0.00
Von Adam bis VanderbiltMark Twain10h 42m4.3 (11)$1 · $0.00
The Essential Mark Twain: 200+ Novels & Short Stories in One Volume (Illustrated Edition)Mark Twain416h 5m4.6 (134)$1.99 · $0.00
The Complete Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry FinnMark Twain26h 24m4.5 (2.8K)$1.99 · $0.00
The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain (Illustrated)Mark Twain112h 41m4.4 (8.3K)$1.99 · $0.00
The Adventures of Tom SawyerMark Twain6h 44m4.1 (1.1M)$12 · $0.00
Is Shakespeare Dead?Mark Twain2h 57m3.9 (2K)$7 · $0.00
Querkopf WilsonMark Twain4h 43m3.9 (41K)$10 · $0.00
Christian ScienceMark Twain7h 59m3.7 (2.2K)$12 · $0.00
1601Mark Twain1h 21m3.5 (740)$12 · $0.00
Die schönsten Kinderbücher der WeltMark Twain, Johanna Spyri, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Selma Lagerlöf, Waldemar Bonsels, Lewis Carroll, Else Ury, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, Gerdt von Bassewitz, Robert Louis Stevenson, David Friedrich Weinland, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Emmy von Rhoden, Agnes Sapper, Jack London286h 46m4.7 (12)$1 · $0.00
Auf den Spuren des amerikanischen Traums: Die größten AbenteuerromaneMark Twain, Jack London, James Fenimore Cooper, Herman Melville, Henry David Thoreau, Albert Daiber, Edgar Allan Poe, Max Brand, Charles Sealsfield, Friedrich Gerstäcker893h 13m4.5 (12)$1 · $0.00
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry FinnMark Twain19h 15m$1.99 · $0.00
El príncipe y el mendigoMark Twain7h 48m4.1 (148.8K)$1.99 · $0.00
Sämtliche RomaneMark Twain108h 40m4.6 (33)$2 · $0.00
Las aventuras de Tom Sawyer (texto completo, con índice activo)Mark Twain8h 23m$9.99 · $0.00
The Golden Book of World's Greatest Mysteries – 60+ Whodunit Tales & Detective StoriesMark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Guy de Maupassant, Thomas Hardy, William Archer, Brander Matthews, Ambrose Bierce, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Wilkie Collins, E. F. Benson, M. R. James, E. T. A. Hoffmann, Anton Chekhov, Anna Katherine Green, W. F. Harvey, Fitz-James O'Brien, Katherine Rickford, Pliny the Younger, Helena Blavatsky, A. Conan Doyle, Villiers Adam, C. Moffett, F. Marryat, Théopile Gautier, L. Hearn, C. B. Fernando, R. L. Stevenson, T. W. Hanshew, Sir R. Anderson, R. A. Cram, Joseph L. French48h 44m3.7 (65)$1.99 · $0.00
Lost In TranslationAudrey Davis9h 15m4.4 (235)Free
This Is Going to HurtAdam Kay5h 47m4.4 (444.7K)$24 · $0.00
You Will Get Through This NightDaniel Howell6h 56m4.4 (11.8K)$24 · $0.00
Northanger Abbey (Annotated)Jane Austen10h 7m4.5 (1.6K)$2 · $0.00
My Dear HamiltonStephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie23h 7m4.4 (63.6K)$46 · $0.00
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS & SCREWTAPE PROPOSES A TOAST (Annotated)C. S. Lewis5h 6m4.4 (471K)$2 · $0.00
BufferingHannah Hart5h 55m4.4 (12.4K)$24 · $0.00
The Office BFFsJenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey8h 26m4.3 (45.4K)$26 · $0.00
The Collected Stories of Dorothy ParkerDorothy Parker8h 36m4.3 (13.6K)$1 · $0.00
LambChristopher Moore15h 22m4.3 (211.3K)$33 · $0.00
#IMomSoHardKristin Hensley, Jen Smedley7h 19m4.3 (7.3K)$24 · $0.00
Mixed PlateJo Koy8h 18m4.3 (7.1K)$26 · $0.00
Over the TopJonathan Van Ness5h 50m4.3 (87.3K)$24 · $0.00
It Never EndsTom Scharpling8h 53m4.4 (2.3K)$20 · $0.00
The Importance of Being EarnestOscar Wilde2h 31m4.3 (475.9K)$1.20 · $0.00
More Tales of the CityArmistead Maupin8h 23m4.3 (22.6K)$26 · $0.00
Joyful Recollections of TraumaPaul Scheer6h 38m4.3 (8.2K)$7 · $0.00
More Than a WomanCaitlin Moran9h 31m4.3 (16.8K)$29 · $0.00
FamesickLena Dunham11h 46m4.3 (49.7K)$29 · $0.00
Scandalous WomenGill Paul10h 46m4.4 (1.5K)$29 · $0.00
You may also like
A Pickle for the Knowing Ones (Annotated)Timothy Dexter2h 1m3.7 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
A Modest ProposalJonathan Swift22m4.2 (162.7K)$2.30
The Diary of a NobodyGeorge Grossmith, Weedon Grossmith4h 27m3.9 (28.4K)$2.30
Grammar-land; Or, Grammar in Fun for the Children of Schoolroom-shireM. L. Nesbitt2h 36m4.4 (487)$1 · $0.00
The New Kid on the BlockJack Prelutsky55m4.2 (11.5K)$11 · $0.00
The Awful German LanguageMark Twain59m4.1 (2.7K)$6 · $0.00
LaughterHenri Bergson5h 34m3.9 (3.1K)$2 · $0.00
A Book of NonsenseEdward Lear33m3.9 (4K)$2.80
An Inquiry about InsurancesMark Twain7m$2 · $0.00
English Illustration 'The Sixties': 1855-70Gleeson White7h 19m$1 · $0.00
How to Fail in Literature: A LectureAndrew Lang0m3.8 (25)$2 · $0.00
Biography for BeginnersE. Clerihew10m3.9 (153)$1
George Bettinger’s Mom & Pop Shop Interviews & VarietyGeorge Bettinger4h 11m$14
Winnowed WisdomStephen Leacock5h 31m3.3 (22)$2 · $0.00
No talent, and Phil's pansiesLucy Ellen Guernsey1h 18m$2 · $0.00
Frenzied FictionStephen Leacock6h 13m3.9 (225)$1 · $0.00
Make America Grate AgainTheobaldo Veira Monteiro10m$9 · $0.00
The Albany Depot : a FarceWilliam Dean Howells2h 10m$2 · $0.00
Classic Radio’s Greatest Comedy Shows, Vol. 3Black Eye Entertainment7h 45m$20
Beaver: An Alphabet of Typical SpecimensJohn Kettelwell40m$2 · $0.00