The Autobiography of Mark Twain · Chapter
Monday, March 12, 1906 explained
Mark Twain interrupts his reminiscences of schoolmates to comment on the recent massacre of six hundred Moros—men, women, and children—by American troops under General Wood in the Philippines.
What happens
Mark Twain interrupts his reminiscences of schoolmates to comment on the recent massacre of six hundred Moros—men, women, and children—by American troops under General Wood in the Philippines. He contrasts the official portrayal of a 'brilliant feat of arms' with the reality of a one-sided slaughter, criticizes the silence of the press, and condemns President Roosevelt's congratulatory message as a hollow convention that dishonors the American flag.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Human Nature
Twain exposes the hypocrisy of celebrating a massacre as a 'brilliant feat of arms' while ignoring the slaughter of women and children, and criticizes the press and President for their silence and hollow praise.
The American Experience
Twain reflects on American military actions abroad, contrasting the Moro massacre with earlier U.S. battles and questioning the nation's moral standing.
Mortality and Loss
The chapter dwells on the death of 600 Moros, including women and children, and the pathos of their helplessness.
Characters to notice
- Mark Twain
Delivers a scathing commentary on the Moro massacre, contrasting it with other military engagements and criticizing the press and President Roosevelt.
- Theodore Roosevelt
President Roosevelt is quoted and criticized for his congratulatory cable to General Wood, which Twain calls a hollow convention.
- General Sherman
Mentioned in passing as part of Twain's contrast of military history.
- Ulysses S. Grant
Referenced indirectly through the mention of Civil War battles.
Key passages
“The completeness of the victory is established by this fact: that of the six hundred Moros not one was left alive.”
The victory was complete because every single one of the six hundred Moros was killed.
Twain uses irony to highlight the brutality of the massacre.
“He knew perfectly well that our uniformed assassins had not upheld the honor of the American flag, but had done as they have been doing continuously for eight years in the Philippines—that is to say, they had dishonored it.”
Twain asserts that President Roosevelt knew the troops had disgraced the flag, not honored it, as they had been doing for years.
Twain directly accuses the U.S. military of dishonorable conduct in the Philippines.