In Mark Twain and the American West, Joseph Coulombe maintains that for more than twenty-five years, Mark Twain deliberately manipulated contemporary conceptions of the American West to create and then modify a public image that won worldwide fame. He establishes the central role of the region in the development of a persona that not only helped redefine American manhood and literary celebrity in the late nineteenth century, but also produced some of the most complex and challenging writings in the American canon. Coulombe ...
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In Mark Twain and the American West, Joseph Coulombe maintains that for more than twenty-five years, Mark Twain deliberately manipulated contemporary conceptions of the American West to create and then modify a public image that won worldwide fame. He establishes the central role of the region in the development of a persona that not only helped redefine American manhood and literary celebrity in the late nineteenth century, but also produced some of the most complex and challenging writings in the American canon. Coulombe sheds new light on previously underappreciated components of Twain's distinctly western persona. Gathering new evidence from contemporary newspapers, letters, literature, and advice manuals, Coulombe shows how Twain's persona in the early 1860s as a hard-drinking, low-living straight-talker was an implicit response to western conventions of manhood. He then traces the author's movement toward a more sophisticated public image, arguing that Twain characterized language and authorship in the same manner that he described western men: direct, bold, physical, even violent. In this way, Twain capitalized upon common images of the West to create himself as a new sort of western outlaw - one who wrote. Coulombe outlines Twain's struggle to find the proper balance between changing cultural attitudes toward male respectability and rebellion and his own shifting perceptions of the East and the West. Focusing on his unpredictable treatment of American Indians, Coulombe links Twain's enigmatic use of racial stereotypes in the West to Huck's treatment of Jim in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He argues that the repeated pattern not only illuminates the great moments in Huck's journey, but also clarifies inconsistencies within one of America's most important novels. Mark Twain and the American West is sure to generate new interest and discussion about Mark Twain and his influence. By understanding how conventions of the region, conceptions of money and class, and constructions of manhood intersect with the creation of Twain's persona, Coulombe helps us better appreciate the writer's lasting influence on American thought and literature through the twentieth century and into the twenty-first.
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Add this copy of Mark Twain and the American West (Volume 1) (Mark Twain to cart. $20.27, good condition, Sold by Phatpocket Limited rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham Abbey, ESSEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by University of Missouri Press.
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Good. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library, so some stamps and wear, but in good overall condition. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality textbooks across an enormous variety of subjects. We aim to provide a vast range of textbooks, rare and collectible books at a great price. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. We provide a 100% money back guarantee and are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest standards of service in the bookselling industry.
Add this copy of Mark Twain and the American West (Mark Twain and His to cart. $45.95, like new condition, Sold by Affordable Collectibles rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MO, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by University of Missouri.
Add this copy of Mark Twain and the American West (Volume 1) (Mark Twain to cart. $66.94, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by University of Missouri.
Add this copy of Mark Twain and the American West to cart. $31.99, very good condition, Sold by Roy Clarke/gfoylebooks rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Danvers, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by University of Missouri Press.
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VERY GOOD in FINE jacket. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown o/w an excellent like new copy, near fine condition in fine dj---Columbia: University of Missouri Press 2003, First Edition 1st printing, yellow cloth, hard cover in dust jacket, 181pp, 6 1/4 x 9 1/4.
