This is an interesting question, Hal, especially in light of research on birth order and parental investment—that is, on social and biological forces outside of individual biography. Of course Langdon was the first born, but since he did not survive long, Susy as the oldest held that privileged position, well known for the intensity of parental investment of time and care (the parents among us can check our own photo albums for the overabundance of baby pictures of the oldest kid, compared to younger ones!).
I think of this first-born bias often when I hear parents who’ve sent their oldest child to a big-name private college express the sense they got pushed into a prestige choice that they would not make for a younger one. But these are just anecdotal responses to underscore my sense that many factors may have given Susy a privileged place in the Clemens family and Sam's heart even apart from her evident charm, intelligence, and literary ambitions.
Judith
On Jun 19, 2014, at 10:14 AM, Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Folks; one of the old chestnuts of Twain biography, I suppose, is the
notion that Susy was his "favorite child" or "most favored daughter." I
am among those who have said as much. Now, working through this material
once again, it strikes me--was she?? I'm fairly certain there are quotes
to that effect but I am presently unable to unearth any. I'd be happy to
quote from various biographers and critics to that effect but I think most
of you get the picture.
Can we say for certain that Susy was his favorite? Or is that another
effect of the echo chamber of earlier scholars and biographers? Opinions
and/or actual evidence is invited... --Hal B.
--
Prof. Harold K. Bush
Professor of English
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Saint Louis University
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314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)
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My newest book: Twain's Brand: Humor in Contemporary American Culture <http://www.ohio.edu/people/leej/Twains_Brand.html>
Judith Yaross Lee, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Honors Tutorial Studies
Director, Central Region Humanities Center
School of Communication Studies
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Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
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