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 2
... wrote in his notebook , " I cannot see how a man of any large degree of humorous per- ception can ever be religious except he purposely shut the eyes of his mind and keep them shut by force . " Again , he wrote , " The easy confidence ...
... wrote in his notebook , " I cannot see how a man of any large degree of humorous per- ception can ever be religious except he purposely shut the eyes of his mind and keep them shut by force . " Again , he wrote , " The easy confidence ...
Page 10
... wrote : " She was of a sun- shiny disposition and her long life was mainly a holiday to her . She was a dancer , from childhood to the end , and as capable a one as the Presbyte- rian Church could show among its communicants . " More ...
... wrote : " She was of a sun- shiny disposition and her long life was mainly a holiday to her . She was a dancer , from childhood to the end , and as capable a one as the Presbyte- rian Church could show among its communicants . " More ...
Page 11
William E. Phipps. 14 son . A relative wrote : " Jane Clemens took an interest in any religion , the livelier the better . They were drama to her as much as uplift . " 15 Sam described his mother's " liberal sympathies " that made her a ...
William E. Phipps. 14 son . A relative wrote : " Jane Clemens took an interest in any religion , the livelier the better . They were drama to her as much as uplift . " 15 Sam described his mother's " liberal sympathies " that made her a ...
Page 12
... wrote him that " his little Presbyterian mother was not pleased with this too - literal loyalty to the theoretical Bible - teachings which he had acquired through her agency , for . . . [ she ] was not of the cheek - turning sort ...
... wrote him that " his little Presbyterian mother was not pleased with this too - literal loyalty to the theoretical Bible - teachings which he had acquired through her agency , for . . . [ she ] was not of the cheek - turning sort ...
Page 26
... wrote about the Grangerfords in Huckleberry Finn , he displayed memories of Presbyterian homes he had known in his child- hood . The Presbyterian Observer journal reinforced the theme of " prefore- ordestination " ( " predestination ...
... wrote about the Grangerfords in Huckleberry Finn , he displayed memories of Presbyterian homes he had known in his child- hood . The Presbyterian Observer journal reinforced the theme of " prefore- ordestination " ( " predestination ...
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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