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 xi
... given and family names is cumbersome , yet calling him " Samuel " is overly familiar for the adult figure . To refer to him as " Clemens " often lacks clarity , for there are numerous Clemenses involved in this study . He gave himself ...
... given and family names is cumbersome , yet calling him " Samuel " is overly familiar for the adult figure . To refer to him as " Clemens " often lacks clarity , for there are numerous Clemenses involved in this study . He gave himself ...
Page xiii
... given her for almost half a century . Moreover , her roots in Missouri and New York have provided me with more understanding of the native soils of the Clemens partners . 183 . 3Quoted in Archibald Henderson , Mark Twain ( New York ...
... given her for almost half a century . Moreover , her roots in Missouri and New York have provided me with more understanding of the native soils of the Clemens partners . 183 . 3Quoted in Archibald Henderson , Mark Twain ( New York ...
Page 1
... given religion in understanding MT , even though religious imagery saturates his writings . Or , consider some who write in learned journals : Father Edward Rosenberger calls him a " blus- tering agnostic " ; 4 Max Eastman refers to him ...
... given religion in understanding MT , even though religious imagery saturates his writings . Or , consider some who write in learned journals : Father Edward Rosenberger calls him a " blus- tering agnostic " ; 4 Max Eastman refers to him ...
Page 4
... skillful textual analysis they have produced an abundance of nuanced literary studies , and occa- 17James 1:27 . 18Luke 10:31 . sionally they have given some attention to the place of 19Matthew 25 : 31-46 . 4 Mark Twain's Religion.
... skillful textual analysis they have produced an abundance of nuanced literary studies , and occa- 17James 1:27 . 18Luke 10:31 . sionally they have given some attention to the place of 19Matthew 25 : 31-46 . 4 Mark Twain's Religion.
Page 5
William E. Phipps. sionally they have given some attention to the place of religion in MT's fiction . But those specializing in the field of American literature tend to have little interest in , or knowledge of , the breadth of American ...
William E. Phipps. sionally they have given some attention to the place of religion in MT's fiction . But those specializing in the field of American literature tend to have little interest in , or knowledge of , the breadth of American ...
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