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 vi
... Jesus Evil and Freedom Personal Immortality 221 222 241 248 263 263 277 281 299 9. Final Quest 313 Search for Healing Joan of Arc and Susy Bittersweet Last Years 313 321 328 10. Conclusion 351 Parallel Lives 351 Ethics and Truth 359 ...
... Jesus Evil and Freedom Personal Immortality 221 222 241 248 263 263 277 281 299 9. Final Quest 313 Search for Healing Joan of Arc and Susy Bittersweet Last Years 313 321 328 10. Conclusion 351 Parallel Lives 351 Ethics and Truth 359 ...
Page 3
... Jesus was at odds with some of his fellow Jews who interpreted a rejection of some old forms of religion as irreligion , and that conservative outlook has persisted over the centuries . The term " religion " is rarely found in the King ...
... Jesus was at odds with some of his fellow Jews who interpreted a rejection of some old forms of religion as irreligion , and that conservative outlook has persisted over the centuries . The term " religion " is rarely found in the King ...
Page 4
... Jesus did in his parable of the Good Samaritan.18 That famous story , as well as Jesus ' parable of the Last Judgment , " illustrates that the essence of New Testament " religion " is acting with compassion . If criticism of a culture's ...
... Jesus did in his parable of the Good Samaritan.18 That famous story , as well as Jesus ' parable of the Last Judgment , " illustrates that the essence of New Testament " religion " is acting with compassion . If criticism of a culture's ...
Page 6
... Jesus . In it , I discussed some similarities of style and con- tent between Jesus and MT , showing that both used humor to make criti- cisms more palatable and that both were contemptuous of hypocrisy . When my editor convinced me that ...
... Jesus . In it , I discussed some similarities of style and con- tent between Jesus and MT , showing that both used humor to make criti- cisms more palatable and that both were contemptuous of hypocrisy . When my editor convinced me that ...
Page 9
... Jesus , rejected biblical literalism , and did not attend church regularly . If that was the case , then the outlook on religion of father and mature son were similar . 8 The last day of his father's life impressed itself upon the ...
... Jesus , rejected biblical literalism , and did not attend church regularly . If that was the case , then the outlook on religion of father and mature son were similar . 8 The last day of his father's life impressed itself upon the ...
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