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 21
... give instructions — but I was never asked until today . My ambition of two generations ago has been satisfied at last ! . . . I noticed at the Presbyterian Church this afternoon that the style of oratory has changed . In my day the ...
... give instructions — but I was never asked until today . My ambition of two generations ago has been satisfied at last ! . . . I noticed at the Presbyterian Church this afternoon that the style of oratory has changed . In my day the ...
Page 33
... gives a phony testimony of repentance and persuades the congregation to finance his efforts to convert others . After taking up a collection and embracing the pretty girls , he leaves town with much money and a stolen jug of whiskey.1 ...
... gives a phony testimony of repentance and persuades the congregation to finance his efforts to convert others . After taking up a collection and embracing the pretty girls , he leaves town with much money and a stolen jug of whiskey.1 ...
Page 36
... gives " religion . " During this period he wrote in a letter , " What a man wants with religion in these breadless times surpasses my comprehension . " 139 " Religion " in this con- text clearly pertains to a church that is ignoring ...
... gives " religion . " During this period he wrote in a letter , " What a man wants with religion in these breadless times surpasses my comprehension . " 139 " Religion " in this con- text clearly pertains to a church that is ignoring ...
Page 37
... give place at the last , To a Spring everlasting in Heaven ! 142 The most disturbing event of Sam's young life occurred in 1858 when he was a cub pilot on the Mississippi . His younger brother Henry had an entry - level steamboat job ...
... give place at the last , To a Spring everlasting in Heaven ! 142 The most disturbing event of Sam's young life occurred in 1858 when he was a cub pilot on the Mississippi . His younger brother Henry had an entry - level steamboat job ...
Page 70
... give something if we chose ; we need give nothing , if we were poor or if we were stingy . 122 "9MTAL 54-55 . ,20IA 261 . 121IA 178 . In general , MT was unimpressed by Roman Catholic art 122IA 599 . 70 Mark Twain's Religion.
... give something if we chose ; we need give nothing , if we were poor or if we were stingy . 122 "9MTAL 54-55 . ,20IA 261 . 121IA 178 . In general , MT was unimpressed by Roman Catholic art 122IA 599 . 70 Mark Twain's Religion.
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