The Autobiography of Mark Twain · Chapter
Wednesday, March 14, 1906 explained
Twain reflects on the Moro massacre, criticizing President Roosevelt's praise of the event as a 'brilliant feat of arms' and comparing it to McKinley's joy over Aguinaldo's capture.
What happens
Twain reflects on the Moro massacre, criticizing President Roosevelt's praise of the event as a 'brilliant feat of arms' and comparing it to McKinley's joy over Aguinaldo's capture. He notes the silence in the press and discusses a luncheon for George Harvey where guests condemned the massacre. Twain also critiques General Wood's attempts to justify the slaughter, highlighting the hypocrisy and brutality of the action.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Human Nature
Twain highlights the hypocrisy of calling a massacre a 'battle' and the double standards in celebrating violence while ignoring the suffering of the victims.
The American Experience
Twain critiques American imperialism and the nation's moral failings in the Philippines, questioning the honor of the flag and the actions of its leaders.
Mortality and Loss
The chapter deals with the mass death of Moros, including women and children, and the callousness of the U.S. military's actions.
Characters to notice
- Mark Twain
Author and narrator, expressing outrage at the Moro massacre and criticizing President Roosevelt and General Wood.
- Theodore Roosevelt
President praised the Moro massacre as a 'brilliant feat of arms'; Twain criticizes his joy over the event.
- George Dolby
Mentioned as George Harvey, the guest of honor at the luncheon, who predicted the scandal would destroy the Republican party and Roosevelt.
- Abraham Lincoln
Referenced indirectly via comparison to President McKinley's joy over Aguinaldo's capture.
- William McKinley
Mentioned as the president who danced with joy upon Aguinaldo's capture, drawing a parallel to Roosevelt's reaction.
Key passages
“The President’s joy over this achievement brings to mind an earlier presidential ecstasy.”
Twain compares Roosevelt's glee over the Moro massacre to McKinley's joy when Aguinaldo was captured.
Twain draws a parallel between two presidents celebrating violent acts in the Philippines.
“A five-day silence following a world-astonishing event has not happened on this planet since the daily newspaper was invented.”
Twain notes the unusual silence in the press about the massacre, suggesting it may wake the nation to the truth.
Twain believes the lack of editorial comment is more damning than outright condemnation.
“He will find that where a man has the proper spirit in him and the proper force at his command, it is easier to massacre nine hundred unarmed animals than it is to explain why he made it so remorselessly complete.”
Twain argues that General Wood's attempts to justify the massacre are futile, as the act itself is indefensible.
Twain criticizes Wood's explanations as inadequate and highlights the brutality of the slaughter.