Exploring the Satirical Genius of Mark Twain’s Works

Otaboyeva Ominakhon

Farg‘ona Davlat Universiteti, Xorijiy til va adabiyoti yo‘nalishi , 

Ingliz tili va adabiyoti fakulteti talabasi

Abstract: This article explores the satirical genius of Mark Twain’s works, including his novels, essays, and speeches. Using literary analysis, the article examines how Twain used satire to expose and critique societal issues such as racism, imperialism, and greed. Through a close reading of key passages in works such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The War Prayer, the article demonstrates how Twain’s use of irony and humor served to challenge dominant ideologies and promote social change. Ultimately, the article argues that Twain’s satirical approach remains relevant today as a tool for critical thinking and social commentary.

Key words: satirical genius, Mark Twain, literature, humor, irony, social commentary, American culture, writing style, satire techniques.

Introduction: Mark Twain is widely regarded as one of the most significant American authors of all time. His works are renowned for their wit, humor, and biting social commentary. In particular, his satirical writing has been praised for its ability to expose the absurdities and hypocrisies of American society during his time.

In this article, we will explore the satirical genius of Mark Twain’s works. We will examine how he used satire to expose societal issues such as racism, imperialism, and corruption. We will also delve into his unique writing style and the techniques he used to create his satirical masterpieces.

Twain’s use of satire was not limited to a single work or genre. Rather, it was a recurring theme throughout his entire body of work. His most famous novels, such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, both contain elements of satire within their narratives.

One example of Twain’s use of satire can be found in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The novel is set in pre-Civil War America and follows the journey of a young boy named Huck Finn as he travels down the Mississippi River with an escaped slave named Jim. Throughout their journey, Huck encounters various characters who represent different aspects of Southern society at the time.

Twain uses these characters to highlight the hypocrisy and racism that was prevalent in Southern society during this period. For example, one character named Pap represents the worst aspects of white Southern culture – he is an abusive alcoholic who is quick to blame black people for all his problems. By contrast, Jim represents the humanity and dignity that was often denied to black people during this period.

Another example can be found in Twain’s short story “The War Prayer.” Written in 1904 during the height of American imperialism, “The War Prayer” criticizes America’s involvement in foreign wars by depicting a scene where a preacher leads a congregation in a prayer for victory in battle. As the prayer progresses, the true horrors and consequences of war are revealed, exposing the hypocrisy of those who pray for victory without considering the human toll.

Twain’s unique writing style was also a major factor in his ability to use satire effectively. He often used irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration to make his points. He was known for his use of colloquial language and dialects, which helped to bring his characters to life and make them more relatable.

In addition, Twain was a master of storytelling. He knew how to capture his reader’s attention and keep them engaged with his narratives. He often used humor to defuse tense situations or to make difficult topics more approachable.

Finally, Twain’s satirical works continue to resonate with readers today because they address universal themes that are still relevant today. Issues such as racism, corruption, and imperialism are still prevalent in modern society, making Twain’s critiques just as relevant now as they were during his time.

Overall, Mark Twain’s satirical genius is evident in both the content and style of his works. His ability to use satire to expose societal issues in a humorous yet poignant way is what sets him apart from other authors of his time. By examining his use of satire in various works such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and “The War Prayer,” we can gain a greater appreciation for Twain’s unique contributions to American literature.

Satire is a literary device that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize and expose the flaws of individuals or society. It is often used to bring attention to social or political issues and can be found in various forms of literature, including novels, essays, plays, and poetry.

Mark Twain is one of the most renowned American writers who used satire extensively in his works. He was known for his sharp wit and humorous approach towards societal issues such as racism, greed, corruption, and hypocrisy.

In Twain’s most famous work, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” satire is used to critique the institution of slavery. Through the character of Huck Finn, Twain exposes the absurdity of a society that condones slavery. The book also satirizes the hypocrisy of religious institutions that claim to espouse Christian values while supporting slavery.

In “The Gilded Age,” Twain critiques the excesses and corruption of post-Civil War America. He uses satire to ridicule the greed and materialism prevalent in society at that time.

Twain’s use of satire was significant because it allowed him to express his social criticisms in a humorous way while also making his message more accessible to readers. His works were not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and influential in shaping public opinion on important issues.

Overall, Mark Twain’s skillful use of satire made him one of the most important literary figures in American history by challenging societal norms through humor and wit.

His novels, including “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” are famous for their satirical elements. Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, and sarcasm to criticize and expose human follies and vices.

In “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Twain uses satire to criticize the hypocrisy and racism prevalent in society. The novel follows Huck Finn, a young boy who runs away from home to escape his abusive father. Along the way, he meets Jim, a runaway slave, and together they embark on a journey down the Mississippi River.

One of the most prominent satirical elements in the novel is Twain’s portrayal of Southern society. Through characters like Aunt Sally and Miss Watson, Twain exposes the hypocrisy and double standards prevalent in society. For example, Miss Watson preaches about Christian values but owns slaves, while Aunt Sally complains about the immorality of gambling but is willing to bet on anything.

Another satirical element in “Huckleberry Finn” is Twain’s treatment of race relations. While many critics have accused Twain of perpetuating racial stereotypes through his portrayal of Jim as a superstitious and uneducated character, others argue that he uses this characterization to expose the absurdity of racist attitudes.

In “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” Twain uses satire to critique the romanticization of childhood innocence. The novel follows Tom Sawyer, a mischievous boy who lives in a small town on the Mississippi River.

One satirical element in the novel is Twain’s portrayal of school. Through characters like Becky Thatcher and Injun Joe, Twain exposes the flaws in traditional education systems that prioritize rote memorization over critical thinking.

Another satirical element in “Tom Sawyer” is Twain’s depiction of adult authority figures. Through characters like Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher, Twain exposes the hypocrisy and inconsistency of adult behavior. For example, Aunt Polly punishes Tom for playing hooky from school but then rewards him for his bravery in saving Becky from Injun Joe.

Mark Twain’s novels “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” are masterful examples of satirical literature. Through humor and irony, Twain exposes the flaws in society and human nature, making his works timeless classics that continue to resonate with readers today.

Mark Twain, an American writer and humorist, was known for using satire to criticize societal norms, political issues, and cultural beliefs during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Satire is a literary technique that uses irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration to expose and criticize human vices or shortcomings.

One of Twain’s most famous works that uses satire to critique societal norms is “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Twain used the character of Huck Finn, a young boy from Missouri, to expose the hypocrisy of slavery in the South. Through Huck’s journey on the Mississippi River with Jim, a runaway slave, Twain highlighted the brutal reality of slavery while also ridiculing the attitudes and beliefs held by white people towards black people at the time.

In “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” Twain used satire to poke fun at the rigid social structures of rural America. The character of Tom Sawyer represents a rebellious spirit that challenges traditional authority figures like teachers and parents. Through Tom’s actions, Twain criticized society’s strict adherence to rules and regulations that stifle individuality.

Twain was also highly critical of politics during his time. In his essay “The War Prayer,” he satirized American imperialism by depicting a church service where people pray for victory in war without considering the suffering it would bring to both sides. He also criticized corruption in politics through his novel “The Gilded Age,” which portrays politicians as greedy and selfish individuals who are only interested in personal gain.

Finally, Twain used satire to comment on cultural beliefs such as religion. In “Letters from Earth,” he portrays Satan as a sympathetic character who questions God’s actions on Earth. Through this work, Twain challenged traditional religious beliefs by suggesting that God’s actions may not be just or fair.

In conclusion, Mark Twain was a masterful satirist who used humor to criticize societal norms, political issues, and cultural beliefs. His works continue to be relevant today as they challenge readers to question their own beliefs and values.

Mark Twain is considered one of the greatest American writers of all time, but his use of satire in his works has been the subject of criticism and controversy. Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or ridicule human behavior or institutions. Twain’s use of satire was often aimed at exposing the flaws and hypocrisies of American society during his time.

One of the main criticisms of Twain’s use of satire was that it was too harsh and offensive. Some critics felt that his portrayal of African Americans and other minority groups in his works was racist and demeaning. For example, the character Jim in “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is often seen as a stereotypical depiction of a black man.

Another source of controversy surrounding Twain’s satirical works was their portrayal of religion. In “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” for example, Twain mocks the hypocrisy and small-mindedness he saw in organized religion. This led some religious groups to condemn Twain’s work as blasphemous.

Despite these criticisms, many people today still recognize the value and importance of Twain’s satirical works. They argue that by exposing the flaws and follies of society through humor and satire, Twain helped to bring about positive change and progress in American culture. His work continues to be studied and celebrated for its insights into human nature and its ability to provoke thought and discussion about important issues.

Mark Twain is a renowned literary genius who continues to captivate and inspire readers today through his wit, humor, and satirical observations of American society. His contribution to American literature has been significant and enduring, with his works remaining relevant even after more than a century since their original publication.

The brilliance of Twain’s satirical genius lies In his ability to use humor and irony to expose the flaws and shortcomings of American society. Through his works, he highlighted the hypocrisy of the ruling class, the injustices faced by marginalized groups, and the absurdities of everyday life. His satire was not only witty but also incisive, revealing deep-seated societal issues that were often overlooked or ignored.

One example of Twain’s enduring relevance is his novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Published in 1884, the novel remains one of the most controversial books in American literature due to its use of racial slurs and its portrayal of African Americans. However, despite these controversies, the novel continues to be read and studied today for its insightful commentary on race relations in America.

Twain’s satirical genius can also be seen in his short stories such as “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” and “The War Prayer.” In these works, he uses humor to expose the greed and foolishness of people while also critiquing war as a senseless human endeavor.

Twain’s relevance is not limited to his satire alone. He was also a master storyteller who wrote engaging stories that continue to captivate readers today. His use of vernacular language gave his works an authenticity that resonated with audiences then as it does now.

Furthermore, Twain’s legacy has been sustained by modern writers who have been influenced by his work. His influence can be seen in contemporary authors such as George Saunders, David Sedaris, and Ta-Nehisi Coates who have all used satire and humor to critique American society.

In conclusion, Mark Twain’s satirical genius continues to be relevant and brilliant in American literature. His works remain a testament to his enduring legacy and continue to captivate readers with their incisive commentary on American society. Twain’s use of humor, irony, and vernacular language set him apart from his contemporaries and cemented his place in the literary canon. As we continue to grapple with issues of race, class, and social justice in America, Twain’s works remain a powerful reminder of the importance of satire as a tool for social critique.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Clemens, S. L. (1884). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Chatto & Windus.

2. Fishkin, S. (1995). Was Huck Black? Mark Twain and African-American Voices. Oxford University Press.

3. Gribben, A. (2011). Mark Twain’s Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn: The Original Text Edition. University of California Press.

4. Hirst, K., & Olmsted, W. M. (2006). Mark Twain and the Art of the Tall Tale: An Analysis of his Short Fiction. McFarland.

5. Howard, J., & Gates Jr, H.L (1990). Who Invented ‘The Nigger’?: Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Invention of Minstrelsy”. American Literature 62(3), 459-489.

6. Kaplan, J., & Rogers, K.W (2010). Satire in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Case Study for Critical Thinking Skills Development in High School English Language Arts Classrooms”. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 54(1), 36-44.

7. Kemble, E.W (1914). Fifty Years as a Slave; or The Story of my Life in the Southern States of America by Harry Smith”. Journal of Negro History 1(2), 198-199.

8. Krause, S.T (2009). Satire and Irony in Children’s Literature: An Analysis of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. Journal for Learning through the Arts 5(1), 1-18.

9. Langer, J., & Kellogg, R.T (1987). Cognitive Constraints on Information Retrieval from Literary Texts: The Role of Genre”. Poetics 16(1-2), 15-33.

10. Lind, A.R (1994). The Satirical Genius of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. The Midwest Quarterly 36(2), 218-232.

11. Lytle, A.H (1913). Review of Mark Twain’s “Life on the Mississippi”. The Sewanee Review, 21(3), 380–386.

12. MacDonnell, K.M (2013). The Difficulty with Which Satire Can be Defined: An Exploration of Mark Twain’s Use of Satire in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Pudd’nhead Wilson”. Journal of Literature and Art Studies 3(6), 486-494.

13. McWilliams, J.P (2002). Mark Twain: A Short Introduction. Blackwell Publishing.

14. Miller, T.B., & Smith, D.L (1991). Mark Twain’s Critical Reception from Huckleberry Finn to Pudd’nhead Wilson”. American Literary Realism, Vol. 23 No. 2 , pp.1-14.

15. Nissenbaum, S.D (2011). “Freedman” Tom Sawyer and Racist Huck: Comic Strategies and the Reconstruction Era”. American Quarterly 63(4), 871-898.

16. O’Connor, R.E (1969). An Approach to “Huckleberry Finn”: The Scottsboro Boys Trials as a Possible Basis for the Novel”. College English 30(5), 417-430.

17. Pease, D.E (1996). New Essays on “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Cambridge University Press.

18. Quirk, T.J., & Scholes, R.E (1979). Approaches to Teaching Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Modern Language Association of America.

19. Railton, S (2010). “Jim and the Dead Man’s Tale: Mark Twain, African Americans, and the Historical Memory of Huck Finn”. American Literary Realism 42(1), 3-21.

20. Robertson, S.L (1986). “A Racial Hierarchy in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” College Literature 13(1), 54-62.

21. Rodden, J (2016). The Cambridge Companion to Mark Twain. Cambridge University Press.

22. Smith, J.C., & Watson, V.J (1988). “Satire and the Transformation of Genre: Huck Finn’s Lies”. Studies in American Humor 5(1), 15-25.

23. Twain, M (1906). What Is Man? Harper & Brothers Publishers.

24. Wardle, C., & Eliot, T.S (1920). Essays on Literature: Satire”. Methuen & Co Ltd.

25. Yarborough, R (1994). “Huckleberry Finn and the Problem of Freedom”. Journal of American Studies 28(3), 339-355.

At the request of many contributors, we are continuing to share ways writers and artists can lend a hand to different places in the world.

Literary Ways to Help Sudan

Donate books to Books for Africa (mail to Georgia, USA)

Donate to or offer professional expertise to the South Sudan Library Project

Literary Ways to Help The Democratic Republic of Congo

Congo Library – people and organizations have donated books to a shipping center in California to build a library in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Books for Congo – sets up and contributes to libraries and a bookmobile, takes donations of books and cash and buys books by local and African authors.

Freelancers In Gaza Seeks Mentors To Virtually Coach Freelance Professionals

From Freelancers in Gaza:

We are looking for all forms of support in mentorship, like teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, computer skills, writing and editing, journalistic skills, etc.  So all types of support will be helpful. Those who are interested in being mentors will need to send us short bios, their best way of communication (email), and a headshot. This will then be added to our pool of mentors here: https://www.freelancersingaza.com/mentors.

This month’s issue celebrates effusions of life: human art and creativity, human love and compassion, and the flowering of the natural world.

Sayani Mukherjee depicts the elegant fragility of a rose as Brian Barbeito’s photography and prose evokes summertime in a strange, wild, and mysterious natural place in the summer. Wazed Abdullah revels in the vast expanse of the sky, during both daylight and nighttime.

Mark Young explores the power of details: parts of speech, flower petals, and thoughts.

Echezonachi Daniel speculates on nature and deconstructs some of what we as humans project onto other species.

Brian Barbeito, in his prose piece, takes a starling bird as a starting point to reflect on native vs introduced species, philosophy and faith, fair-weather versus dedicated believers, and what it means to be committed to something.

Isabella Mori writes of a trip through Canada when she encountered nature and simple human kindness. Christopher Bernard illustrates the caring, nurture, and steadiness of loving fathers. Azimjon Toshpulatov highlights her love for her mother by apologizing for having hurt her, and Rizwan Islam honors his through an essay on her dedicated service to so many people. Lazizakhan Khalilova shares a story where a young child discovers that noticing and helping others is part of growing up.

Mohichehra Qurbonova shares a story of the perseverance of a disabled girl to achieve her goals and build a life with meaning. David Sapp recollects memories of a friendship he developed with a developmentally disabled person whom he came to regard with respect.

Mesfakus Salahin conveys the experience of losing himself in romantic love. Eva Petropolou Lianou’s poetry celebrates the joy of love and romance. Sushant Thapa describes getting to know a lover as a form of art and a journey.

Dimitris Passas shares a story of drug addiction and the sufferings of forced withdrawal and the quest for family love. John Grochalski speaks to the awkwardness of negotiating and crossing boundaries within parasocial relationships: people we see in media or with whom we have a business relationship.

Lewis LaCook shares pieces about travel, lost love, and finding and creating the world around us. Jesse Emmanuella writes of the human experience: death, grief, and new love. Tareq Samin depicts nature and romantic love in his piece, drawing on trees and stars for analogies to his feelings.

Elmaya Jabbarova reminisces about time with someone she loved in a beautiful garden she can no longer visit. Maja Milojkovic’s narrator speaks of her dual love for India and for a man she married there. Abdul Razzaq Al-Amiri evokes a romance that is also a deep spiritual quest. Amina Sahi conveys the pure spiritual joy of a lovers’ meeting off of a woman’s outdoor balcony in fragrant, sunny spring as Mahbub presents an exuberant couple scampering through fields and blooming rosebushes.

Dr. Jernail Anand reminds us that caring for others and self-respect is more important than money. Marjona Jorayeva highlights how the national value placed on human compassion is integral to the cultural and natural wealth of Uzbekistan. Sarvinoz Tuliyeva explicates the humane spirit of O’tkir Hashimov’s short story “Yanga.”

Bill Tope’s short story comments on two problems of America’s school system: gun violence and bullying, and the lack of compassion, cruelty, and injustice at the roots of both. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa laments the knowledge she has of life’s suffering and how she cannot save her loved ones. Faleeha Hassan conveys the worry and loneliness of a soldier’s mother who cannot share ordinary daily news with her son while Nosirova Gavhar shares a tale of love that waits even after death.

Dr. Prasannakumar Dalai explores lost love, pain, and despair in his poetry as Graciela Noemi Villaverde expresses her visceral grief for her departed husband. Poet Sandy Rochelle, on her birthday, chooses love over fear and pain.

John Martino relates pieces of moments, thoughts, and encounters told with humor and humanity. J.D. Nelson’s haikus capture moments of surprise, when something changes in the world. Duane Vorhees invites us as humans to consider how we’ll act and love each other in the light of a world implacably changing all around us. Easa Hossain urges us to remember the past yet adapt to and welcome the present.

Lidia Popa expresses what she would do if she were in charge of time and destiny. Maid Corbic expresses his loneliness around people who are stuck in the past. Amanbayeva Dinora offers the advice of centuries for career builders and job seekers as Saparbayeva Aziza outlines what she likes, and what she doesn’t, in books from her Uzbek cultural tradition.

Zulkhumor Fosilbekova highlights the value of education for people and society. Gulsevar Xojamova suggests a positive role for technology in elementary and high school education in Uzbekistan. Sushama Kasbekar celebrates the technology of her new fridge, but acknowledges her confusion at its complexity.

Bruce Roberts laments humans and human art’s replacement by robots who feel themselves to be an improvement. Rezauddin Stalin celebrates human knowledge and the joy we find in discovering human wisdom from ages past.

Chris Butler speaks to the limitations of human knowledge and perception in light of the near-eternal nature of some parts of the natural and physical world. Isabel Gomez de Diego’s photography highlights the smallness of humanity in the light of natural and cultural history.

Gregorz Wroblewski pokes at the nature of a poem, at memorializing imperfect humans, and at our reasons for creating high literature. Tuyet Van Do seeks out underlying truths beneath cultural narratives.

Many humans create in this issue, for reasons of their own. Texas Fontanella sends us energetic rap music and Vernon Frazer brings us on a long tour de force of jazzlike symphonic crescendos of words. Grzegorz Wroblewski’s artwork shows poetry as a physical object, focusing on the looks of words on the page rather than what the words say. Diana Magallon’s visual art combines squares and cubes into shapes that seem 3-D on a two-dimensional space.

Alan Catlin contributes an artistically edited tour-de-force of global sociology, Western psychology, infrastructure and logistics, and criminal forensics. Patrick Sweeney explores themes of worry, complexity, and communication in his series of short pieces.

Noah Berlatsky reminds us that all dedicated writers, even hobbyists, can be considered authors and poets. Fadwa Attia highlights how an artist’s identity and background can inspire or inform their work. Z.I. Mahmud illustrates how a graphic novel was an ideal and useful form for Marianne Satrapi to tell her story in Persepolis of surviving Iran’s 1970s Islamic revolution.

Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ photography is at once playful and introspective, examining small portions of nature and human life.

Sadiya Abdulaziz looks to her own body and life for wisdom, examining the scars on her body to relate her history. Zeboxon Akmalova explores the very common and human feeling of loss.

Jason Ryberg’s poetry is a mixture of humor and commentary on human perception. Jim Meirose’s “reformed solemniac” piece offers up a funny take on insomnia. J.J. Campbell shares poetry about lasting beyond one’s prime and anyway, or just realizing that you’re older and still around.

Daniel De Culla contributes an earthy poem of dissatisfaction with the world’s proffered enjoyments. Michael Robinson recollects a lifetime of comfort and peace found through his Christian faith. Hillol Ray points to his sources of poetic inspiration and how he finds meaning in life through creating work in partnership with nature. Maheshwar Das encourages us to get beyond short-sightedness and materialism and focus on love for one another and care for creation.

Sheila Murphy sends us poetry of self-assertion and boundary-setting. Kristy Raines interviews Burmese Rohingya refugee Faisal Justin, who shares his journey of escaping oppression in Myanmar. Mykyta Ryzhykh explores how to capture the threatened Ukrainian civilization in poetry, probing their beauty, joy, and hardship.

Jacques Fleury highlights how the allostatic stress of being discriminated against and “othered” even at smaller levels contributes to bad health effects for minority populations.

Adiba Pardabayeva celebrates the lasting power of her basic Uzbek cultural values, including respect, dignity, and modesty.

We hope the many high-minded and intriguing sentiments of this issue will linger in your minds and hearts. Thank you for reading our first July issue!

shedding ten-thousand shipworms of worry

skip the low-interest, multi-step directions...  
I've a better chance of deciphering
the Voynich manuscript

swallowtail   guess what I was about to say

even though the complex probability amplitudes are against me, ‘Moon Ra’

tic convulsif…  elder brother’s son home from war

let them use the glitter

heads bowed in the next yard, requiem for a woo woo

kids blowing bubbles in a world without end

he was a nervous talker, 
who punished wide-eyed historians
with Roman forecasts

she preferred he accept a non-speaking part

graciously receiving morning salutations from the thundercloud tree

hard as I tried, the infinite series continued right on out of the back of my flat head

the voiced and unvoiced consonants that happened in the front of the room

Patrick Sweeney is a short-form poet and a devotee of the public library.

Vollmann’s Poor People slightly altered

Soot covered woman of the burned land, Madagascar
Homeless camp under the freeway, Miami
People and streetscapes, Riverton, Oregon
Office cleaning lady just off work with Colonel Sanders
	(life-sized statue) Bangkok 
“I think they are poor” venerable white-haired man begging, 
	Beijing
Congolese beggar boy, dressed in filthy rags
Unknown street sleepers
Man in rubble of destroyed home
Man with photo and deed to his destroyed home
Garbage lady, Nanking
Panorama of box houses, Tokyo
Beggar in full body burqa like an angel of death, Yemen
Streetwalker in burqa approaching a rickshaw, Peshawar
Homeless man reading a newspaper in park, Tokyo
Three drunks, Nome, Alaska
Beggar girl with deformed nose
Beggar pretending to be armless, Bangkok
Family in front of their bullet pocked house, Congo
Snarling beggar, Bogotá
Man with crooked face, Bogota 
“Donate here to get me out of your neighborhood” placard, 
	Oregon
Afghan boys playing in wrecked Soviet plane, Afghanistan
Afternoon on Ave de la Mort, Brazzaville


 
Operation Crossroads 1948: Bikinis, a journal, extracted

As culled from the journals of forward observer
	Of Bikini Island tests, Dr. David Bradley, in
	his book , NO PLACE TO HIDE


“In the three years of the “atomic age,” five bombs
(or is it six?) have been exploded. On only these last 
two or three have men been prepared to study and
record the findings under anything like controlled
conditions.”

“This morning the surface (of the ocean) was
scattered over with tiny floating jellyfish, or baby
men-o-wars. Delicate, diaphanous creatures, they
look like blown cherry blossoms on a windy lawn
of the Pacific.”

“By the nature of our work almost everything we know
is potentially dangerous.”

“Actually, of course, there will never be any great control
of ideas concerned with atomic energy, the principles
have already spread like an epidemic.”

“Lectures on physics have given way to the practical
business of the detection of radioactivity.”

“It will be difficult to convince people of the dangers 
of radiation.”

“The persistent power of the bomb after it has exploded is
its greatest menace.”

“They(the old and wise) doze a moment in the sun and
wake up on fire.”

 

Sante’s Evidence

“Traces of innumerable human beings lost to history
once and for all, without monuments or descendants
or living record.”

“A copy of a Black Hand threat letter, decorated with
obscene drawings.”
“An enigmatic set of shots, from various angels of
a man’s right hand with two thumbs.”
“Magnified  views of pieces of jewelry and barely
decipherable snapshots.”
“Studies of urinals at different (police) station houses.”
“Locations: bedrooms, bars, back alleys, vacant lots,
storerooms, hovels hallways”
“You do not have to be glamorous to meet a violent end.”

“Objects of interest, at least momentarily, taken together,
they become stills from a film, a nightmare, ride from room
to room in the small hours.”
“These subjects are constantly in the process towards
obliteration.”
“These photographs-as evidence, they are mere artless
records, concerned with the details…they are the book-
keeping entries, with no transfiguring mission, and serve 
death.”
“We are breaking a taboo as old as the practice of shutting
the eyes of cadavers and weighing down their lids.”
“Photography like death, interrupts life.”
“The more empty the photograph, the more it will imply 
horror.”
“Empty photographs have no reason to be except to show
that which cannot be shown.”
“Evidence is a magnet for the random.”
“You do not have to be glamorous to meet a violent end.”

 
Julia Solis’ New York Underground: the Anatomy of a City,
	in text and photographs with occasional commentary

Inside the Croton Aqueduct (like The Thing from Outer Space)
Roots (like veins) inside the long-abandoned Croton Aqueduct
Rebuilding the foundation of 7 World Trade Center
A manhole cover leading to a branch of Croton Aqueduct (like
	a portal to the outer circles of hell)
Sealed water pipes to a branch of Ridgewood Reservoir 
	with graffiti, Brooklyn
The gate chamber on the Bronx side of High Bridge (with 
	standing water and garbage)
Inside a storm drain Queens

Ghost Stations:
City Hall station abandoned retaining some of its former glory
Abandoned  91st street station with elaborate graffiti
Sealed staircase lower-level City Hall station
Remnant of obsolete trolley station Essex and Delancy
Long abandoned Croton Aqueduct well on its way to being 
	reclaimed by nature
Virginal track segment, never used
Ghostly staircase eastern end of Lexington Ave. station
Ground Zero October 2001
Long after last transport, a gurney in a tunnel, Seaview Hospital
Mattresses piled in deteriorating heaps in basement of a mental
	hospital
Obsolete freight track, Hell’s Kitchen
Long forgotten abandoned burial crypts
The central aisle of the crypt of St. Patrick’s cathedral



 
A Plague of Souls: Contemporary (Mostly) Japanese Noir 

Devotion of Suspect X
Tokyo Nights
Hotel Lucky Seven
Sleeping Dragon
All She Was Worth
In the Miso Soup
Coin Locker Baby
The Devil’s Flute
Slow Fuse
Three Assassins
Bullet Train
Crossfire
Grotesque
Real World
Out
Winter Sleep
Almost Transparent Blue
The Memory Police
Village of Eight Graves
 


		Freud

On Aphasia
Interpretation of Dreams
Secret Memories
The Future of Illusion
The Ego and the ID
Jokes and Their Relationship to the Unconscious
The Psychology of Everyday Life
“Civilized” Sexual Morality and Modern Illness
The Most Prevalent Form of Degradation of Erotic Life
Mourning and Melancholy Civilization and Its Discontents
Beyond the Pleasure Principle
Medusa’s Head
Totem and Taboo: Resemblances between the psychic lives 
	of savages and neurotics
Reflections on War and Death
A Case of Paranoia Running Counter to the Psychic Analytic 
	theory of disease
Case Studies: 	Dora
		Little Hans
		Rat Man
		Wolfman
Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious	
 

Brutal (Soviet) Bloc Post Cards

“Ideas are more powerful than guns.
We would not let our enemies have
guns, why should we let them have ideas?
	Joseph Stalin

Monument to Builders of the Volga Power Station 1967
Worker and Collective Farm Women (statues) circa 1960’s
(Literal) Flower of Life (concrete sculpture) 1968
Monument to the Conquerors of Near Universe 1988
Monument to the Conquerors of Space (glass ellipse) 1964
A Special Sign at the entrance to the city, Brest, 
	(indescribable)  1987
Memory of Military Glory, Moldavia 1983
Karl Marx Monument, Tashkent, 1980 (Flyaway concrete hair)
Kulpenberg TV Tower (“beehive” on concrete tower)
Avala TV Tower, Belgrade (pointed as a needle)
Slovak Tower Building, Bratislava 1983 (inverted pyramid)
Brotherly Mound, Hillock of Fraternity Memorial Complex, 
	Bulgaria 1980
Museum of the revolution, Lithuania SSR 1980
Obelisk of Glory, Modavic, 1972
Concrete arch known as Andropov’s Ears, Tbilisi, Georgia 1983
Museum to the Defenders of the Caucasian Mountain Passes,
	1983 (Concrete henges rising)
Monuments to the heroic Sailors of the Black Sea, 1971
All-Terrain Vehicle Monument to the Pioneers 1987
Broken Ring Monument, Lake Lagoda, 1966
Monument to the Communists Who Died in September
	1923 Uprising, Bulgaria
Alyosha Monument to the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic,
	Murmansk, 1986
Armenian Genocide Memorial Cemetery Complex 1967
The Sash of Glory, Odessa 1975 (glorious silhouette carved 
	From concrete)
The Constinesti Obelisk-Constinesti Beach, 1970 (White 
	Polished marblesque, whatever on the beach front)
Star Monument Kharkiv, Ukraine 1975
Monument to the executed partisans, Yugoslavia
Arch of Diversity, monument dedicated to the unification
	Of the USSR and Ukraine 1982

-MD. Rizwan Islam (Talha)

My Mother

My mother’s name is Mst. Roksana Yesmin. She is 35 years old. She is a M.A. She teaches in a primary school in Dinajpur. After school hours she works at home. She cooks our food. She also looks after my old grandmother and my little sister. She takes care of our health and studies. On holiday, she cooks special dishes for us. She washes the clothes. She keeps the house clean. Sometimes she goes to the market. She also visits relatives. She helps the sick people. In the evening, she watches TV. She spends her free time with us. She remains busy the whole week. No person in the world is like my mother. 

So, I love my mother very much.

MD. Rizwan Islam (Talha) is a student of grade six in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.

Memories

Where are the days lost?

Going, memories of golden days.

The happy times are disappearing,

I remember the old memories. 

The times of sitting together, 

And chatting are changing.

How time has passed today,

I have grown up

One of the eternal truths of the world is that,

Life is beautiful if you adapt yourself to each moment.

Md. Easa Hossain (subas) is a student of grade nine in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.

The Sky
 
The sky is blue, so wide and high, 
With clouds that float and birds that fly. 
At dawn it glows, at night it's deep, 
Stars come out as we fall asleep. 
The sun climbs up, then slides away, 
The moon and stars begin their play. 
The sky above is always there, 
A part of life, beyond compare.

Wazed Abdullah is a student of grade nine in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.