I don't mind what or how Twain is interpreted or presented, so long as
the original is always available.  I can even tolerate an ice cream
suited Twain in San Francisco talking to star ship commanders.

On Tue, 2017-01-03 at 14:55 -0500, Alan Kitty wrote:
> I am certain that not every word, gait, or rhythm should be
> sacrosanct when p=
> erforming Twain, considering the variegated versions of his own
> material. It=
>  is also unlikely that his delivery was identical from place to place
> or tou=
> r to tour. Technology, acoustics, size of house, audience
> compositions are a=
> lso differentiators.=20
> 
> But while certain modifications are needed for the sake of modern
> audience a=
> ppeal, Twain interpreters come in all shapes, sizes and
> sensibilities. Those=
>  who can, will pull off the walk, the tone, the pause, and the
> language. But=
>  as long as an ongoing interest in Twain's words is inspired, I say
> give wha=
> t gifts you have in service to that mission!
> Alan
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> > 
> > On Jan 3, 2017, at 2:17 PM, Clay Shannon <[log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
> > =20
> > When reading or quoting his works, I have struggled with whether to
> > keep T=
> w=3D
> > 
> > ain's words "sacrosanct" by retaining the original wording in every
> > case -=
>  =3D
> > 
> > specifically, the "elephant in the room" - the so-called "N word"
> > (see, pe=
> o=3D
> > 
> > ple don't even like to write it out, let alone verbalize it).
> > I have determined to (not uniquely or originally) replace the word
> > with "s=
> l=3D
> > 
> > ave" when I encounter it.
> > Here is my reasoning:
> > When I do my Twain performance, I do not speak as slowly as Twain
> > did (alt=
> h=3D
> > 
> > ough I do speak more slowly than my natural rate). Why? Because
> > modern aud=
> i=3D
> > 
> > ences would not have the patience to endure that "three-words-per-
> > minute" s=
> =3D
> > 
> > tuff. They would tune me out quicker than a Barry Manilow song at a
> > mosh p=
> i=3D
> > 
> > t.
> > I have also determined not to mimic the Twain gait on stage, again
> > because=
>  =3D
> > 
> > the average member of the audience would be distracted, wondering
> > whether I=
> =3D
> > 
> > had hurt my leg or had imbibed two too many toddys prior to
> > trodding the b=
> =3D
> > 
> > oards. Now among a crowd of Twainians, it would be different - I
> > would pro=
> b=3D
> > 
> > ably effect the "sailor-on-shore" weave, because they (you) would
> > "get it.=
> "
> > 
> > So, my point is: the current milieu must be served. And that's why
> > "slave"=
>  =3D
> > 
> > should, in my opinion, replace the "N" word when reading/quoting
> > Twain's w=
> o=3D
> > 
> > rks. If the original word was retained, the audience would
> > understandably b=
> =3D
> > 
> > e uncomfortable, distracted, and possibly even antagonistic both
> > towards m=
> e=3D
> > 
> > and Twain, viewing him perhaps as the immoralist of the insane
> > rather than=
> =3D
> > 
> > the moralist of the Main.
> > What the word meant to be people back in the 1840s (and 1880s,
> > even) and h=
> o=3D
> > 
> > w they responded/reacted to it in those times is different from
> > people's r=
> e=3D
> > 
> > sponse and reaction today. It may be that "slave" is, in actuality,
> > a pret=
> t=3D
> > 
> > y good modern equivalent for the dreaded and now decidedly
> > derogatory slur=
> .
> > 
> > Why Twain used the word (especially in "Huck Finn") could continue
> > to be d=
> i=3D
> > 
> > scussed, but (alluding to Daniel Day-Lewis-as-Lincoln's advice to
> > Tommy Le=
> e=3D
> > 
> > Jones' character in "Lincoln"), the most effective way to get to
> > the other=
> =3D
> > 
> > side of the swamp is sometimes to go around it, rather than plunge
> > headlon=
> =3D
> > 
> > g into the muck and mire.
> > The preservation of Twain's reputation, and to keep him on the
> > world's rea=
> d=3D
> > 
> > ings lists, may best be served by bending a little in this case.
> > Your responses are welcomed and awaited.=3DC2=3DA0- B. Clay Shannon
-- 
 There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of
                          in your philosophy.
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