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 xii
... . Works frequently referred to are cited by abbrevia- tion only . See the first section of the bibliography , below . ] visited Hannibal . I also thank Phyllis Morris , an xii Mark Twain's Religion The Approach of This Study.
... . Works frequently referred to are cited by abbrevia- tion only . See the first section of the bibliography , below . ] visited Hannibal . I also thank Phyllis Morris , an xii Mark Twain's Religion The Approach of This Study.
Page xiii
William E. Phipps. visited Hannibal . I also thank Phyllis Morris , an excellent novelist who was once my student , for helping to make this book more readable . In appreciation , MT said of his wife Livy that " She not only edited my ...
William E. Phipps. visited Hannibal . I also thank Phyllis Morris , an excellent novelist who was once my student , for helping to make this book more readable . In appreciation , MT said of his wife Livy that " She not only edited my ...
Page 19
... visited Hannibal's Presbyterian Church in 1902 , he alleged that he had loved attending Sunday school.61 By that time , the sanctuary — still the current one — had relocated several blocks away , although the steeple still held the ...
... visited Hannibal's Presbyterian Church in 1902 , he alleged that he had loved attending Sunday school.61 By that time , the sanctuary — still the current one — had relocated several blocks away , although the steeple still held the ...
Page 26
... visited that library , the largest in the region.92 When Clemens wrote about the Grangerfords in Huckleberry Finn , he displayed memories of Presbyterian homes he had known in his child- hood . The Presbyterian Observer journal ...
... visited that library , the largest in the region.92 When Clemens wrote about the Grangerfords in Huckleberry Finn , he displayed memories of Presbyterian homes he had known in his child- hood . The Presbyterian Observer journal ...
Page 31
... visited Hannibal when Sam was eleven years old , coming from Bethany College in western Virginia where he was president . Clemens remembered the " prodigious excitement " of the crowd when this celebrity preached in the public square ...
... visited Hannibal when Sam was eleven years old , coming from Bethany College in western Virginia where he was president . Clemens remembered the " prodigious excitement " of the crowd when this celebrity preached in the public square ...
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