Life on the Mississippi

Twain learns the ABC’s of steamboat piloting from Mr. Bixby and others. There are three essential things, however, that Twain states all successful pilots must know. What are these three traits? Provide examples from the text of Twain (or other pilots) putting these traits into action.

Before delving into his own history on the Mississippi River, Twain provides historical details about explorers who visited the river, and how the river compares to famous rivers around the world. Provide some of the narrative Twain divulges in the early chapters, including famous explorers and global monuments that Twain associates and/or compares to the Mississippi.

There’s a marked contrast in the narrative between steamboat piloting before the Civil War and after. Using examples, compare Twain’s experience as a steamboat pilot before the war to his attempt at traversing the river incognito after the war. What has changed? What remains the same?

Twain uses humor to highlight his point in many chapters of the novel. Using examples, show three or four instances of Twain employing humor to tell a story. How is the humor used in each story, and what lesson does Twain ultimately teach by using humor in this way?

Twain learns about piloting from several people, including Mr. Bixby, Brown and others. Compare the pilots and their methods of training. How are they alike? Different? How did Twain react to these different styles of teaching? Provide examples.

Though Twain is saddened by the state of steamboat piloting after the war, he understands the necessity of growth. Using examples from the narrative, outline the growth of America (as seen by Twain) from the Mississippi’s “discovery” by DeSoto to its businesslike efficiency after the Civil War.

Twain uses several writing tropes to tell his narrative about Mississippi River life. What are some of these tropes (such as first-person narrative)? How does he use tropes like first-hand accounts in his narrative? What are some of these accounts he uses, and from whom (or what) do they come from?

Twain uses the analogy of language several times in his narrative. Using examples such as the language of the Southerner and the language of the Mississippi, explain Twain’s analogy of language and how it paints a picture. How does Twain react to the language of Southerners? How does he react to the language of the Mississippi?