Question

Twain makes a distinction between "standards" and "fashions" (para. 10). What is the difference? What examples does he provide for each? How does the distinction apply to the twenty-first century?

Answer 1

According to Mark Twain, "standards" are the lasting ideas people have, whereas "fashions" are just temporary trends or beliefs that change across the years.

As an example of "standards," Twain cites Shakespeare because, for centuries, his pieces have been adopted and recreated by people worldwide.

As an example of "fashions," Twain considers the different styles of music, writing, and technology being the latter the most changing with the passing of time.