In this quote, Mark Twain expresses a critical perspective on U.S. actions in Cuba and the Philippines, revealing a deep skepticism regarding the moral justification of American imperialism. He acknowledges that the war waged was framed as a "righteous war," celebrating the liberation of Cuba and its alignment with a select group of "free nations." However, his rhetorical questioning, particularly regarding the failure to effectively liberate the Filipinos, suggests a profound disillusionment with the U.S. government's execution of these objectives. Twain's use of the phrase "that most righteous purpose of ours has apparently miscarried" implies that he sees the U.S. actions as hypocritical, questioning the sincerity and effectiveness of the liberation efforts. Overall, Twain’s point of view reflects a critical stance towards the U.S. imperialistic tendencies, suggesting that the nation’s humanitarian rhetoric often masks a more complicated and troubling reality.
in a paragraph, analyze the mark twain quote and identify his point of view about U.S actions in cuba and the philipines.
Oh, you have been doing many things in this time that I have been absent; you have done lots of things, some that are well worth remembering, too. Now, we have fought a righteous war since I have been gone, and that is rare in history--a righteous war is so rare that it is almost unknown in history; but by the grace of that war we set Cuba free, and we joined her to those three or four free nations that exist on this earth; and we started out to set those poor Filipinos free too, and why, why, why that most righteous purpose of ours has apparently miscarried I suppose I never shall know.
1 answer
2 answers