I have received over email copies of Twain's War Prayer circulating spontaneously. I think this demonstrates the immediate relevance of Twain's work. There are nuances and historical realities -- Twain was pro-War in 1898 and it took a process of increasing disillusionment to reach the state of The War Prayer. Hilton Obenzinger At 10:35 AM 9/17/2001 -0500, Bruce Michelson wrote: >With regard to the Forum's mission and possibilities, a few >perceptions we might want to think about: > >1) Because the author we discuss together is not just any American >author, the Forum may need now to bear special responsibilities in >mind. In times of war, cultures and nations often return to writers >traditionally and intuitively regarded as great, as sources of >national wisdom, as spokespersons for collective experience, as >companions in weathering hard times. > >2) While various subjects and styles of literary discussion become >irrelevant in wartime, Mark Twain, as a subject, may intensify in >importance. This happened more than once in the 20th century. We are >lucky to work with a writer who has memorable things to say about >war, the conflict of technological and traditional cultures, belief, >community, the coming together of diverse people in times of mutual >need and danger. Because Twain is the writer America loves to quote >and refer to, we ourselves may have a role of stewardship to play. > >3) As other dialogues shrivel in the heat of war, ours may need to >mature. The Elmira conference proved once again that we have >scholars with character and class, scholars who can speak plainly and >constructively. I hope we can follow their lead. As new people come >to the Forum with questions and curiosity, and others listen in to >see what a Mark Twain community values, I hope we can share >perceptions and reason together in ways which bring credit to Mark >Twain, ourselves, and the humanities in the West. > > >Bruce Michelson >University of Illinois >[log in to unmask] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hilton Obenzinger, PhD. Associate Director of Undergraduate Research Programs for Honors Writing Lecturer, Department of English Stanford University 650.723.0330 650.724.5400 Fax [log in to unmask]