Rise of Yellow Journalism

In the 19th century, a prominent writer named Mark Twain made his name through a number of writings as an author and a journalist. More importantly, one may be able to figure out how the 19th century journalism was depicted through the use of his own works. Two significant short stories, "Journalism in Tennessee" and "How I Edited an Agricultural Paper Once" show how yellow journalism was primarily used as a way to gain newspaper sales and to enliven public readers. Yellow journalism can be described as a biased opinion subterfuge under an apparent fact. It seems so, that during Twain's time period was when yellow journalism started to emerge and popularize. Additionally, Mark Twain was particularly critical about the practice of journalism since he uses satire and a hint of dark humor in most of his works.

            In the fictional short story "Journalism in Tennessee", the narrator tells about his job at the Memphis Avalanche as an associate editor. The Memphis Avalanche is a perfect example of a newspaper that practices yellow journalism. As the story begins, Twain submits his first article. The article tells about a railroad in which it is meant to be fixed as soon as possible. The next part of the article merely states that the popular and known editor by the name of John Blossom is stopping by town. Twain's article continues on with more information and news revolving around town. However, as soon as the editor sees this, he grows pompous and claims, "'Do you suppose my subscribers are going to stand such gruel as that? Give me the pen!'" (Twain, 2). The editor is trying to say that Twain's article lacks substance and significance and would not do well to sell to the Memphis Avalanche's subscribers. The editor then changes up the article, using his own opinion and rhetoric to amend the stories. On one hand, Twain writes, "John W. Blossom, Esq, the able editor of the Higginsville Thunderbolt," but on the other, the editor changes it to "that ass, Blossom, of the Higginsville Thunderbolt..." (Twain, 1-3). Additionally, while Twain writes, "it is pleasant to note that the city of Blathersville is endeavoring to contract with some New York gentlemen," the editor alters it to "Blathersville wants a Nicholson pavement- it wants a jail and a poorhouse more." (Twain, 1-3). Both of these examples show how much the editor must change in the stories in order to fit the needs of his readers. This is a clear illustration of yellow journalism in that the editor must alter the stories for the ability to profit in the newspaper industry. This also goes to show that the people of the 19th century do not exactly like to read concrete facts in the newspapers, but rather a specific yet entertaining outlook of the stories. It should be noted that the short story uses clever and witty humor when telling the story because there is no postulation of what will happen next in the story. The events are very abnormal in the least, yet quite entertaining.

            The second short story, "How I Edited An Agricultural Paper Once" tells a narrative of the protagonist's career in an agriculture paper. There are two main ideas of this story. The first being that Twain publishes stories about daily agricultural work while incorporating some sort of make believe components and it actually sells to people. The only readers that dislike his work are people who actually understand the specific work Twain mentions about. Twain's work even inspired a particular dangerous fellow, whom he tells Twain "you have taken a great load off my mind... my reason has stood the strain of one of your agricultural articles," (Twain 3). The stranger explains to the protagonist that the articles were able to help rid of his inner dilemma. The second main idea is that people who are regarded as experts in newspaper and books are usually less qualified than actual career experts such as doctors or engineers. While Twain is arguing with the past editor, he mentions "I tell you I have been in the editorial business going on fourteen years, and it is the first time I ever heard of a man's having to know anything in order to edit a newspaper." (Twain 4). Putting these two main ideas together, one can assume that editors in the 19th century did not have to have much knowledge about newspapers or any similar works to make a positive and profitable living. As long as it sells, editors and writers alike are allow to create made-up articles mixed with some factual accounts. Again, this short story tells of how yellow journalism was a popular method to meeting the general population's demand.

            In both "Journal in Tennessee" and "How I Edited an Agricultural Paper Once", Mark Twain demonstrates how editors of famous 19th century newspaper or magazine companies use yellow journalism to achieve popular demand and to maximize their profits. Both works hint to readers that during the 19th century time period, the public actually preferred to read fake, yet entertaining news, whereas oppose to today, society likes to read real, yet not as entertaining news. This also shows to prove that the practice of journalism in the 19th century had a lot of humor and amusement.