In a message dated 10/30/2007 2:20:53 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Too often, readers look at Clemens in absolutes. The idea that "The focus on the negative can produce a distorted picture of the man" is, I think, one of those absolutes. We could also say that "The focus on the positives -- on joy to the exclusion of sorrow, of family peace at the exclusion of the reality of human relationships -- also leads to a distorted picture of the man." ___________________________________________ Michael J. Kiskis Perhaps the good professor missed the operative word in my comment--CAN. I fail to see how such a statement is an absolute. Perhaps he too read between the lines and saw "has to" instead of "can." My point is, many of the biographical/psychological treatments of Samuel L. Clemens distort by "judicious" selection of those statements (yes, Barb, even by reading the lines themselves) events, and experiences which support the writer's cause/theme/POV. Nothing wrong with that in an of itself, I suppose, still the image of a "dark and tormented" Clemens is not a balanced one. I merely attempted to point out that the man also felt exhilaration, joy, contentment and peace throughout his life. One cannot present the post 1900 Clemens as the complete picture, even. Now that is an absolute. Do with it what you will. David H Fears