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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 52
Page 6
... expressed scorn toward the savage heathen abroad , the idol - worshiping Catholics , and the Yankees , who had the mis- fortune of having been born north of the Mason - Dixon line . I shared with him an inordinate pride in having noted ...
... expressed scorn toward the savage heathen abroad , the idol - worshiping Catholics , and the Yankees , who had the mis- fortune of having been born north of the Mason - Dixon line . I shared with him an inordinate pride in having noted ...
Page 14
... expressed this skepticism : " Mr. Richmond , did you ever actually see a girl who wouldn't cut and run if she spied a snake ? " 35 Sam took advantage of an arrangement the Methodists had made for borrowing books published by the ...
... expressed this skepticism : " Mr. Richmond , did you ever actually see a girl who wouldn't cut and run if she spied a snake ? " 35 Sam took advantage of an arrangement the Methodists had made for borrowing books published by the ...
Page 22
... expressed in the opening stanza : All people that on earth do dwell , Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice ; Him serve with mirth , His praise forth tell , 73MTS 432 . 74LTR 4 : 528 . 75 Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social , Private ...
... expressed in the opening stanza : All people that on earth do dwell , Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice ; Him serve with mirth , His praise forth tell , 73MTS 432 . 74LTR 4 : 528 . 75 Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social , Private ...
Page 23
... expressed in these Isaac Watts classics : " I Sing the Mighty Power of God , " a lyrical expression of the opening chapter of the Bible , and " Our God Our Help , " a metrical paraphrase of the nine- tieth psalm . Clemens writes that ...
... expressed in these Isaac Watts classics : " I Sing the Mighty Power of God , " a lyrical expression of the opening chapter of the Bible , and " Our God Our Help , " a metrical paraphrase of the nine- tieth psalm . Clemens writes that ...
Page 36
... expressed admiration for genuine religion . He had grown up thinking that citizens of Philadelphia were exemplars of Christianity because Presbyterians from that city had generously supported educational work in the Hannibal area . 140 ...
... expressed admiration for genuine religion . He had grown up thinking that citizens of Philadelphia were exemplars of Christianity because Presbyterians from that city had generously supported educational work in the Hannibal area . 140 ...
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 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
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