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. http://bscottholmes.com