Language:
English
Year of publication:
1995
Titel der Quelle:
Commentary
Angaben zur Quelle:
99,5 (1995) 56-62
Keywords:
Twain, Mark,
;
Antisemitism History 1800-2000
;
Antisemitism in literature
;
Jews
Abstract:
Examines two works written by Mark Twain in his Vienna period, 1898-1900: the story "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg" and his essay "Concerning the Jews". Contends that the picture of society sliding into deep moral perversion displayed in the story was influenced by a similar picture of ethical degradation of society in contemporary Europe - the Dreyfus Affair in Paris, and ethnic riots in Austria and Bohemia caused by the parliamentary upheaval of December 1897. The last events also inspired Twain's "Concerning the Jews". Written with good intentions, the essay, however, used some ambivalent stereotypes, such as the Jews' affinity for money and the "Jewish brain" (meaning Jewish prowess in business). Twain also asserted that the hatred of Jews has nothing to do with religion and comes "from the dawn of history". Although conceived as a philosemitic essay, "Concerning the Jews" was used in the 1930s by antisemitic groups in the USA.
Note:
Appeared in Russian as "Вена Марка Твена" in "Кому принадлежит Анна Франк? Эссе" (2012) 60-86.
,
Another version appeared in her "Fame and Folly; Essays" (1996).
URL:
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