『アーサー王宮廷のコネティカット・ヤンキー』に見られるトウェインの葛藤 : 「金メッキ時代」における投機をめぐって(池田宗彰・柿沼孝子教授定年退任記念号)

概要

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This paper will consider how Mark Twain's personal conflicts appear in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court based on some biographical studies written by different critics, and also based on our knowledge of the Gilded Age. So, firstly we will consider how he got involved in speculation and technology during the 1880's. Next, we will study a certain biographical problem which was concerned with his speculation and investment, in light of the existing biographical materials. Later, we will examine how deeply he was involved with Paige's typesetter and the Webster Publishing Company. Also, this paper will analyze Twain's observations about the wonder, misuse and destructive power of modern technology expressed in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Finally, we will discuss the various speculative opportunities which arose in the rapid industrialization of that time which had such strong magical powers that the American people, including Mark Twain, could not but be fascinated with, and moreover will suggest the necessity for the spiritual rebirth of modern people.