Member-only story

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain: A Timeless Classic of American Travel Writing

Jeffery Bell

·19.3k Followers· Follow

Published in The Innocents Abroad (Signet Classics)

5 min read

445 View Claps

80 Respond

Save

Listen

Mark Twain's The Innocents Abroad is a hilarious and insightful account of a group of American tourists' journey through Europe and the Middle East. Published in 1869, the book quickly became a bestseller and remains one of Twain's most popular works.

The Innocents Abroad (Signet Classics)

by Mark Twain

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1448 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	205 pages

The book follows a group of American tourists as they travel to Europe and the Middle East. The tourists are a diverse group, including a doctor, a lawyer, a minister, and a businessman. They are all eager to see the world and experience new cultures. However, they are also naive and unprepared for the challenges of travel.

The tourists' journey is full of misadventures and misunderstandings. They are often confused by European customs and traditions. They are also shocked by the poverty and inequality they see in the Middle East. However, through their travels, the tourists learn a great deal about the world and themselves.

The Innocents Abroad is a classic of American travel writing. It is a funny, insightful, and thought-provoking book that will appeal to readers of all ages.

The Humor of The Innocents Abroad

One of the things that makes The Innocents Abroad so enjoyable is its humor. Twain was a master of satire and wit, and he uses his humor to poke fun at the tourists and their often naive and clueless behavior.

For example, in one scene, the tourists visit the ruins of Pompeii. They are impressed by the size and grandeur of the ruins, but they are also shocked by the way that the people of Pompeii lived. They are particularly disgusted by the fact that the people of Pompeii used chamber pots in public.

Twain's description of the tourists' reaction to the chamber pots is hilarious. He writes: "The ladies were full of indignation. They said it was a shame to expose such things to the public gaze. They said they never would have come if they had known about it beforehand."

Twain's humor is not just mean-spirited, however. He also uses it to make social commentary. For example, in the scene where the tourists visit the ruins of Pompeii, Twain is satirizing the American tourists' prudishness and their lack of understanding of other cultures.

The Insight of The Innocents Abroad

In addition to being funny, The Innocents Abroad is also a very insightful book. Twain uses his travels to comment on American society and culture. He is particularly critical of the American tourists' ethnocentrism and their lack of understanding of other cultures.

For example, in one scene, the tourists visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The church is a sacred site for both Christians and Muslims. The tourists are impressed by the beauty of the church, but they are also shocked by the way that the two groups of pilgrims behave. The Christians are constantly arguing with the Muslims, and the Muslims are constantly trying to convert the Christians.

Twain's description of the pilgrims' behavior is insightful and thought-provoking. He writes: "It was a sad sight to see those poor creatures fighting over the holy places, when all they needed was the grace of God in their hearts."

Twain's insight into human nature is one of the things that makes The Innocents Abroad such a timeless classic. The book is a reminder that we are all capable of both great good and great evil. It is also a reminder that we should never take our own culture for granted.

The Legacy of The Innocents Abroad

The Innocents Abroad has had a profound impact on American literature and culture. The book is credited with helping to popularize the genre of travel writing. It has also been praised for its humor, its insight, and its social commentary.

The Innocents Abroad is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature, travel writing, or humor. It is a book that will make you laugh, think, and see the world in a new way.

The Innocents Abroad (Signet Classics)

by Mark Twain

4.3 out of 5