Mark Twain

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Mark Twain's life and outlook on several issues through his literary works. First, the paper gives a brief biography. This is followed by an analysis of Twain's essay entitled "Concerning the Jews," a work which in part addressed the anti-Semitism of his time. The writer also explores Twain as a humorist, citing specific essays. The paper concludes by discussing Twain's friendship with Ulysses S. Grant.

From the Paper:

" It must be noted that Mark Twain's commentaries and chronicles of his times are still read with great interest. And one such commentary is his article entitled, 'Concerning the Jews', which appeared in 'Harper's Magazine' in the year 1898. The author starts with talking about his earlier article in which he had described a dramatic scene that had occurred in the Imperial Parliament in Vienna, involving several Jews. Subsequently, a lawyer had written to Mark Twain, asking for explanations as to why the writer had stated that "all classes of people were unanimous only on one thing, viz., in being against the Jews". (Mark Twain, Concerning the Jews) According to the lawyer, the class of people known as Jews has always been the "butt of baseless, vicious animosities. They had been subjected to several forms of unjust persecutions, even though it had been proved beyond a doubt that Jews were "quiet, undisturbing, and well-behaving citizens". (Mark Twain, Concerning the Jews) Therefore, said the lawyer, "Will it ever come to an end? Will a Jew be permitted to live honestly, decently, and peaceably like the rest of mankind?" Mark Twain replied, through his article, that he, as a person, had never ever harbored any feelings of prejudice against race or color or creed. Rather, he felt, he could "stand any society". And also that all he actually cared for was to know for sure that "that a man is a human being". Mark Twain even harbored no prejudices against Satan, and said that he even felt that Satan had been unfairly treated throughout time: "All religions issue bibles against him, and say the most injurious things about him, but we never hear his side". (Mark Twain, Concerning the Jews) Mark Twain further stated that he would "would rather see him and shake him by the tail than any other member of the European Concert." "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Budd, Louis J. Mark Twain talks mostly about humor and humorists. Studies in American Humor. Vol: I, No: 1; April. 1974; pp: 3-7
• Cummings, Sherwood. Mark Twain's Theory of Realism, or the Science of Piloting. Studies in American Humor. Vol: II, No: 3; January 1976; pp: 50-54
• Gilman, Susan. Mark Twain's Puddn'head Wilson, Race, Conflict and Culture. Duke University Press. Durham and London, 1990
• Gribben, Alan. Mark Twain, Businessman, the Margins of Profit. Studies in American Humor. Vol: I, [New Series], No: 1; June 1982; pp: 75-77
• Hutchinson, S. Mark Twain, Critical Assessments. Routledge (UK). 1993.

More papers on Mark Twain:

• Analytical Essay # 122887 : "Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper"
• Essay # 36188 : "Mark Twain"
• Analytical Essay # 9916 : "Mark Twain--A Man and his Literary Politics"

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