Arthur Miller on Mark Twain & America

"I wonder whether in him is some kind of symbolization of the American character.

There is so much boasting going on; that always goes on. Great country for self advertising - we are god's country, we're a big success.

And he had that about him. He was not hiding his light under a bushel. At the same time, underneath there, you smelled suffering.

And of course that's the American dilemma - we are all great successes, and if you push a little bit, you can reach the anguish that's underneath it all."

--- Ken Burns' Mark Twain