Mark Twain's ReligionAlthough 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
... commented on a Methodist , " She has religious beliefs and feelings and I have none . " A variety of interpretive reminders are needed in examining MT judi- ciously and avoiding stereotypes . He often used hyperbole to make a point ...
... commented on a Methodist , " She has religious beliefs and feelings and I have none . " A variety of interpretive reminders are needed in examining MT judi- ciously and avoiding stereotypes . He often used hyperbole to make a point ...
Page 10
... commented , " It is at our mother's knee that we ac- quire our highest and noblest and purest ideals but there is seldom any money in them . " 11 Sam's mother , Jane Clemens ( 1803-1890 ) . Describing his own mother , whom he called his ...
... commented , " It is at our mother's knee that we ac- quire our highest and noblest and purest ideals but there is seldom any money in them . " 11 Sam's mother , Jane Clemens ( 1803-1890 ) . Describing his own mother , whom he called his ...
Page 36
... commented : The sight brought to mind the handsome sum our preacher collected in church last Sunday to obtain food and raiment for the poor , ignorant heathen in some far off part of the world ; I thought , too , of the passage in the ...
... commented : The sight brought to mind the handsome sum our preacher collected in church last Sunday to obtain food and raiment for the poor , ignorant heathen in some far off part of the world ; I thought , too , of the passage in the ...
Page 44
... commented that the Presbyterians came to pray and remained to laugh.20 Orion , who had become an elder and treasurer of the Presbyterian church in Carson City , enlisted his brother's assistance in fundraising . " Louis Budd , " Mark ...
... commented that the Presbyterians came to pray and remained to laugh.20 Orion , who had become an elder and treasurer of the Presbyterian church in Carson City , enlisted his brother's assistance in fundraising . " Louis Budd , " Mark ...
Page 53
... commented on the eternal 53CT1 381 . 54 AMT 120 . 56MT's marginalia in his copy of Letters of James Russell Lowell . protection he had anticipated , " It never occurred to 55LTR 1 : 323 . Peripatetic Journalist 53 To the Mediterranean.
... commented on the eternal 53CT1 381 . 54 AMT 120 . 56MT's marginalia in his copy of Letters of James Russell Lowell . protection he had anticipated , " It never occurred to 55LTR 1 : 323 . Peripatetic Journalist 53 To the Mediterranean.
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