Mark Twain's ReligionMercer University Press, 2003 - 386 pages Although there are many studies of America's most famous literary figure, this thorough investigation provides not only new information on Twain's religion, but also a different approach from anything published before. Interpretations of Twain over the past century have been largely the province of literary critics. By skillful textual analysis they have produced an abundance of nuanced studies, but they tend to have little interest in, and knowledge of, the broad religious context of Victorian society, which both angered and intrigued Twain. Phipps provides perceptions often overlooked into the way Clemens's religion was related to such significant issues as racism, imperialism, and materialism. This study takes a close look at his growing up in the slave culture of Missouri Protestants and his subsequent involvement in the radically different abolition culture in which his wire was raised. Like Twain, who aimed at communicating with the common person, Phipps has written in a style that will attract the educated public while providing fresh insights for Twain scholars. His research has taken him to Hannibal, Elmira Hartford, and to the Twain archives in Berkeley. Mostly chronological, the book makes extensive use of Twain's works and, often neglected in such studies on Twain, the Bible, his most important literary source. |
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Page 68
... Italy , once in France , and once in Spain.112 In Rome he was also incredulous when shown the facial impression made by the apostle Peter when he fell against a stone in the Mamertine Prison.113 At Naples Cathedral , the vial of St ...
... Italy , once in France , and once in Spain.112 In Rome he was also incredulous when shown the facial impression made by the apostle Peter when he fell against a stone in the Mamertine Prison.113 At Naples Cathedral , the vial of St ...
Page 69
... Italy . " 114 Concerning his sensitivities as he toured churches in southern Europe , James Wilson comments , " The ... Italy " appalled MT because the government supported a surplus of priests , leaving it no funds for diminishing the ...
... Italy . " 114 Concerning his sensitivities as he toured churches in southern Europe , James Wilson comments , " The ... Italy " appalled MT because the government supported a surplus of priests , leaving it no funds for diminishing the ...
Page 70
... Italians lived out their lives.119 There were some aspects of Italian Catholicism that MT admired . He commended the Dominican friars who sacrificed their lives by nursing the sick during a cholera plague , saying , " Surely the charity ...
... Italians lived out their lives.119 There were some aspects of Italian Catholicism that MT admired . He commended the Dominican friars who sacrificed their lives by nursing the sick during a cholera plague , saying , " Surely the charity ...
Page 193
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Page 260
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Contents
Tpe AntiImperialist | 196 |
Biblical Usages | 215 |
Jewish Scriptures | 216 |
The New Testament | 235 |
Scriptural Affusions | 242 |
Theological Journey | 257 |
Views of Jesus | 271 |
Evil anb Freedom | 275 |
Travel Reflections | 75 |
Amid Liberal Caivmists | 83 |
In Hartforb | 105 |
Relations with Cable | 128 |
Justice m America | 137 |
Political Morality | 149 |
Race Relations | 156 |
Womens Rights | 175 |
AmbassaboratLarge | 181 |
In Europe | 182 |
Global Tour | 188 |
Versonal Immortality | 293 |
Final Quest | 307 |
Search for Healing | 315 |
Bittersweet Last Years | 322 |
Conclusion | 345 |
Ethics and Truth | 353 |
Humorist and Treacher | 357 |
The Tolerant Monotfest | 362 |
Bibliography | 371 |
Index | 377 |
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Adam admired African-American American became believe Bible biblical Bushnell called Calvin Calvinist Catholic century Christ Christian City claimed commented congregation culture death divine Elmira expressed faith father Genesis Gilded Age God's gospel Hannibal Harper Hartford heart heaven hell Henry Henry Ward Beecher holy Howells Huck Huckleberry Finn human humor hymn Jervis Langdon Jesus Joan of Arc John Langdon later letter living Livy Livy's Lord Mark Twain Matthew minister missionaries Missouri moral mother MT found MT noted MT told MT wrote MT's never novel Paine Park Church person pray prayer preacher preaching Presbyterian Church Psalm published pulpit religion religious Satan Scriptures sermon slave slavery special Providence spirit story Sunday school Susy teaching Testament theological thing Thomas Beecher tion Tom Sawyer Twain New York University Press visited William William Dean Howells words worship writing