Twain & Politics

One of the many themes that Mark Twain places upon his short stories is the presence of bashing politics in ways that are either an underlying message or a direct stab. I believe that this theme is very important when looking at his own views and trying to dissect meaning to each story. I personally like the direct and or subtle jabs that Twain makes at the political system because of legitimacy of his claims. Although somewhat cynical, he wrote the truth and possibly his very own opinions on what our political system does and how it functions.

The two stories that really comment on politics and their fully functioning flaws are the Cannibalism in Cars and The Great Beef Contract. Within the first story, Cannibalism in Cars, Twain presents us with a very usual story that leads to a democratic assembly in order to decipher their unfortunate decisions that needed to be made. With the men almost starved to death, stranded on a train in inhospitable lands, the men aboard create an assembly. They are later required to decide upon whom is choose to be eaten. Twain clearly mocks the political system by mirroring the “current” judicial system, in which we can infer that congressman are able to do what ever it is to get the job done as long as there is proper procedure. Within the story he states, “The amendment was put to vote, after a fiery debate, and lost. Mr. Harris was substituted on the first amendment. The balloting then began” (14). This quote directly mirrors our own judicial system, only Twain proves the point that these men are not ashamed to be voting on the matter at hand, just as long as there is correct procedure in order to carry out the event. I believe that Twain did in fact place his political opinion directly into this short story and that he believes that congressman are malicious. The satire used to describe the men and their language is a direct correlation upon those who participate in our very own Congress. Strong, professional language helps create validity and confidence that their decisions are the correct ones.

The second place in which Twain mocks the politicians and their practices is among the story of The Great Beef Contract. Among this short story, accountability is a main theme upon which creates a reflection of the government and its structure. The search to find repayment from the government creates a whirlwind of an adventure for the narrator, which leads the reader to feel a sense of instability among leadership and skepticism among democracy. Twain uses his satirical language in order to convey his opinions on democracy itself with also making the readers fall into his same viewpoints. Both of these stories convey meaningful remarks regarding politics but also are written in a way that present Twain’s personal feelings.