My apologies, for some reason the translation from my computer and post was inundated with question marks and with reappearance of some deleted words.? I'm really not that poor of an editor.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carolyn Leutzinger Richey <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:54 pm
Subject: Humble Observations
I have for a long time been a member of this List and have, in the past,
participated in the wonderful conversations about Twain.? Early on, I was very
willing to respond to other's comments and postings and to initiate my own.?
However, as the years have gone by, I feel somewhat intimidated that my posts
will not sound "scholarly" enough.? I am a college Lecturer/teacher; I shy away
from calling myself "professor" as I have only an MA---But, I have been teaching
Twain to my?university students regularly since 1992.? I have participated in
several of the conferences held in Elmira and thoroughly enjoyed the collegial
discussions.? I have written several book reviews for the forum and for other
publications, but I have not written any books on Twain.? I have only written my
MA thesis on my favorite writer and fellow Missourian.? (I'm currently working
on a review--the first in almost a decade for the forum--on a new book from Kent
Rasmusson, How to Write about Mark Twain.)? A!
s I am preparing my review of the book that I truly appreciate and find useful,
I am feeling that connection I always feel toward Twain and fellow "Twainiacs."
That brings me to the purpose of my post.? Can I agree with both of the sides of
this ongoing debate? Can I straddle the fence?? I very much admire Jocelyn
Chadwick and remember meeting her at one of the conferences in Elmira.?I do not
wish to see her remove herself from the List. ?I have met many of the rest of
you and admire your work also.? I do not want to see any of you remove
yourselves from the List.?I was just the other day wondering where Camy was.??
I remember, as a grad student, presenting my paper to the participants of the
Elmira conference and feeling in awe of many of you.? After all, I had used much
of your scholarship in my research and writing (and the papers I presented).?
However, I have also felt a certain, how should I put it,?"elitism" regarding
Twain and Twain scholarship.? I would love to ask many of you questions and get
some direction in my research.? But because of the reactions to some posts and
posters, I am reticent to do so.? I am not referring to either side of this
debate, but to both sides of the debate.? One side likes to be provocative and
incite "trouble," while the other side likes to sound like the supreme
authorities.?And both sides resort to name calling. ?I like it here on my
fencepost.? I guess I am like the "suckered" audience of the Royal Nonesuch, who
want to see how many others get suckered into the debate.? Or perhaps I am like
Pudd'nhead Wilson, I wish I owned half of the barking !
dog because I'd shoot my half.?But then, we would not have this wonderful
collective source on Twain.? I guess my point of all this is to say that perhaps
this debate and bifurcation is just a reflection of the author himself.? I think
he would actively participate in both sides of this debate.??
I am submitting this, not to drag on this "discussion," but hesitantly to offer
my humble?opinion. hesitation,
Carolyn Leutzinger Richey
Lecturer, San Diego State University
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