Linda--
You might find useful Henry Nash Smith's discussion of "vernacular values"
in _Mark Twain: The Development of an Writer_. It's an old book now
(1962), but still valuable.
Charles Crow
Department of English
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403
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Charles L. Crow [log in to unmask]
Department of English Voice mail: (419) 372-7556
Bowling Green State University Fax: (419) 372-0333
Bowling Green OH 43403