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A Connecticut Yankee in Saddam’s Court: Mark Twain on Benevolent Imperialism
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outside, so long as the revolution were true to the fundamental interests of the Russian people. Insofar as the war in Iraq is one of liberation, it must meet the same basic test. If America is in Iraq merely to provide for its own security, or to ensure a reliable energy source, then Twain would be highly suspicious. However, if the United States is truly committed to the democratic reform of Iraq, being willing to bear substantial casualties and economic strain in the process, it is hard to see Twain objecting. In fact, this war might qualify as the next step in the “gracious work” of the French revolutionaries.
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In this age of partisan rancour, when it is often difficult to tell whether the
Administration and its critics are talking about the same war, so different are their descriptions, it would behoove everyone to read Connecticut Yankee carefully. Because this is a fictional account of a place and time far removed from our own, the stakes are lowered, and an honest discussion of the fundamental issues is likelier to occur. While it is still possible that partisan readers will make partisan readings of the work, Twain has a uncanny knack for unsettling—and perhaps even humiliating—the confident ones among us. Surviving the process yields greater maturity of thought and a better-developed sense of humor—which, at the end of the day, may be the same thing.
“Well, my book is written—let it go.”
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If true, then the House of Representatives’ cafeteria could replace its Freedom Fries and
Freedom Toast with French Fries and French Toast. This would not be a gesture of good will, but rather a snub, for the House would be signaling that America has out-Frenched the French in spreading democracy throughout the world.
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Mark Twain to William Dean Howells, September 22, 1889, Mark Twain’s Letters, 2: 492
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outside, so long as the revolution were true to the fundamental interests of the Russian
people. Insofar as the war in Iraq is one of liberation, it must meet the same basic test. If
America is in Iraq merely to provide for its own security, or to ensure a reliable energy
source, then Twain would be highly suspicious. However, if the United States is truly
committed to the democratic reform of Iraq, being willing to bear substantial casualties
and economic strain in the process, it is hard to see Twain objecting. In fact, this war
might qualify as the next step in the “gracious work” of the French revolutionaries.
In this age of partisan rancour, when it is often difficult to tell whether the
Administration and its critics are talking about the same war, so different are their
descriptions, it would behoove everyone to read Connecticut Yankee carefully. Because
this is a fictional account of a place and time far removed from our own, the stakes are
lowered, and an honest discussion of the fundamental issues is likelier to occur. While it
is still possible that partisan readers will make partisan readings of the work, Twain has a
uncanny knack for unsettling—and perhaps even humiliating—the confident ones among
us. Surviving the process yields greater maturity of thought and a better-developed sense
of humor—which, at the end of the day, may be the same thing.
“Well, my book is written—let it go.”
35
If true, then the House of Representatives’ cafeteria could replace its Freedom Fries and
Freedom Toast with French Fries and French Toast. This would not be a gesture of good will, but rather a
snub, for the House would be signaling that America has out-Frenched the French in spreading democracy
throughout the world.
36
Mark Twain to William Dean Howells, September 22, 1889, Mark Twain’s Letters, 2: 492
20
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