Mark Twain and the brazen serpent : how biblical burlesque and religious satire unify Huckleberry Finn / Doug Aldridge.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Aldridge, Doug, 1950- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Twain, Mark.

Twain, Mark, 1835-1910--Criticism and interpretation.

Finn, Huckleberry (Fictitious character).

Finn, Huckleberry.

Twain, Mark, 1835-1910.

Satire, American--History and criticism.

Satire, American.

Religion in literature.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

vii, 300 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2017]

Summary:

Focusing on the overarching theme of religious satire in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this study reveals the novel's hidden motive, moral and plot. The author considers generations of criticism spanning the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, along with new textual evidence showing how Twain's richly evocative style dissects Huck's conscience to propose humane amorality as a corrective to moral absolutes. Jim and Huck emerge as archetypal twins-biracial brothers who prefigure America's color-blind ideals. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Perspectives on Point of View: A Tale with Three Tellers 33

2 Precedents for Viewing Huck Finn as Biblical Burlesque and Religious Satire 56

3 Catching the Brazen Serpent in Clemens' Net of Allusion: Huckleberry Finn, Paradise Lost, and the Bible 73

4 To Vilify "the Ways of God to Men": Huck Finn, Pilgrims Progress, The Inferno and Paradise Lost 117

5 "Dark, Deep-Laid Plans": The Evasion as Religious Satire 171

6 Author-Real Intention: Huckleberry Finn as Religious Satire 203

7 Dancing with the Devil 235.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-286) and index.

ISBN:

9781476668451

1476668450

OCLC:

959535580