Regarding MT & his so-called " life-long dislike of
imperialism": not so much. His eyes were opened pretty late on that issue, I think.
Twain changed his tune pretty significantly about the Phillippines, for instance, during the debacle there in the 1890s. I am among those who have written about Twain's view of imperialism and his radical change of view, but post-Jim Zwick, I would especially mention Sue Harris's excellent book on the topic. The Anti-Imperialist League wasn't even founded until 1898.
-hb
Dr. Hal Bush
Dept. of English
Saint Louis University
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314-977-3616
http://halbush.com
author website: halbush.com
________________________________
From: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Scott Holmes <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, October 7, 2018 5:33:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Indians, Indians and Imperialism
While working on my Twain's Geography site, currently his tour of
India, I frequently reference Ian Strathcarron's book, "The Indian
Equator". There is a footnote that reminded me of the recent thread on
Twain and Native Americans but also of Twain's feelings about
Imperialism:
"Many Mark Twain enthusiasts have commented on his life-long dislike of
imperialism and the resultant puffed-up vanity of colonialism. The one
exception to this rule was the jewel in the crown of imperialism, the
British Raj reign of India. Not only did he forgive the British for
their incursion but on numerous occasions pointed out how beneficial it
was to the natives; how lucky they were to have the British to rule
over them."
This is footnoted, thus:
"He felt something similar about the British treatment of Indians
closer to home. In Johannesburg, South Africa, he said: 'Look at the
difference between the position of the Canadian Indians and the Indians
with whom the United States government has to deal. In Canada the
Indians are peaceful and contented enough. In the United States there
are continual rows with the government, which invariably ends in the
red man being shot down.'”
Here are two instances that stand in contrast to our general
understanding of Twain - he appears to approve of
imperialism/colonialism; and, he appears sympathetic to Native
Americans.
--
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of
in your philosophy.
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__bscottholmes.com&d=DwIBaQ&c=Pk_HpaIpE_jAoEC9PLIWoQ&r=f7i-Uq4rMQU8-TBe45qVLg&m=0ElhW8FtiihiUxBzPZn-muKPUXDbCqemVmv2F_uaCZI&s=RTGtYz2aECrSPk9kzs8KO0M8meXieZxpuV816QXAQVA&e=
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