Life on the Mississippi

Prologue-Chapter XV

Reading Check

1. A steamboat pilot (Chapter IV)

2. Mr. Bixby (Chapter VI)

3. Mr. W (Chapter VIII)

4. Tom (Chapter XII)

5. Piloting steamboats (Chapter XIV)

Short Answer

1. Twain compares the Mississippi River with other majestic bodies of water to emphasize its importance. He points out that the Mississippi is grander than the Nile, Amazon basin, and the Seine. (Chapter I)

2. Twain’s historical description of the river serves to further explain the importance and grandeur of the river in comparison to other rivers. Additionally, the river serves an important role in Twain’s life, though he initially wants to man a steamboat on the Amazon, he is proud to have fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot on the Mississippi River. (Chapters I-XV)

3. Twain, inspired by his life on the Mississippi River, refers to Huckleberry Finn to illustrate river life and provide a depiction of those who live near the river. This depiction includes the stories those who live by the river tell and the way information is shared on the riverfront. (Chapter III)

4. Twain mentions several instances in which he attempts to show off or is acting out of pride. In one such instance, he describes his interactions with a ship’s mate in an attempt to obtain work, only to behave foolishly in front of the man. In another instance, he fails to record instructions given to him regarding piloting a riverboat, which proves to be a mistake when he attempts to pilot the boat at night. Twain appears to associate pride with foolish behavior. (Chapters V-VI)

5. Twain, after being trained to pilot a steamboat, realizes how difficult navigating the craft can be. Pilots must be able to interpret changes in the water to determine its depth, bluff reefs, and physical markers of the river. Twain describes a greater difficulty navigating the vessel at night—especially when some boats fail to have lanterns on them while they are in the water. He describes the effect of this difficulty by stating that many pilots lose their love for the river after navigating it for many years. (Chapters VI-XII)

Chapter XVI-Chapter XXX

Reading Check

1. On race days (Chapter XVI)

2. Stephen (Chapter XVII)

3. The Pennsylvania (Chapter XX)

4. Reporter (Chapter XXI)

5. Murel’s gang (Chapter XXIX)

Short Answer

1. Cut-offs along the Mississippi River are man-made ditches that are dug to make the course of the river straighter, therefore making the route of the river shorter. These cut-offs pose problems for the steamboat pilots because the steamboats can become stuck on them. (Chapter XVII)

2. Twain describes Brown as an individual who is severe and disrespectful in a way that Twain has not experienced before. Brown’s harsh treatment of Twain inspired the others aboard the steamboat to treat him in the same manner. Twain finally breaks away from Brown when Twain defends his brother Harry from Brown’s attack. (Chapters XVIII-XIX)

3. Twain observes there are differences in the way people on the riverfront speak and behave. There are also changes to some of the towns that sit along the Mississippi River. St. Geneviève, for example, no longer has access to the river as it once did. Other towns along the river have grown. (Chapters XXII-XXIII)

4. Twain experiences a mix of nostalgia and sorrow on his return to the Mississippi River. He is displeased by the changes that have been made to the river and the river towns that have lost access to the river. He also notes that he has witnessed the fall of the steamboat industry. He is pleased, however, at the opportunity to pilot a steamboat again and notes that some of the river changes have been beneficial for the pilots. (Chapters XXII-XXV)

Chapter XXXI-Chapter XLV

Reading Check

1. Karl Ritter (Chapter XXXI)

2. John Backus (Chapter XXXVI)

3. New Orleans (Chapter XLI)

4. War (Chapter XLV)

Short Answer

1. Twain’s purpose in traveling to Napoleon is to retrieve hidden money on behalf of Ritter to give to the descendants of the man Ritter accidentally killed. The hidden money, located in a livery stable, would be difficult to locate without drawing attention to Twain—making it better for retrieving under cover of darkness. Twain’s concerns are unfounded, however, when he discovers the city of Napoleon has been burned down and abandoned. (Chapter XXXI-XXXII)

2. Mr. H and his friend describe the mosquitoes of Arkansas to be minuscule in comparison to those that live in the Lake Providence area. Mr. H claims the mosquitoes in Lake Providence can restrain and kill a man. Mr. H also claims that he has witnessed the mosquitoes trying to vote. (Chapter XXIV)

3. Twain describes the graves of those who are buried in New Orleans and claims the dead bodies give off a chemical that is dangerous and quips that it is appropriate they are guarded by St. Anne’s relics. A friend of Twain’s who is an undertaker explains that the funeral business is good given that individuals are willing to spend money in honoring their loved ones, but complains that the business is not as profitable during an epidemic. (Chapters XLII-XLIII)

4. Twain explains that the Southern dialect is one that he enjoys and makes note of certain nuances such as the substitution of “Y” for “R.” He explains that the pastimes of Southerners often include war talk because of the high volume of those in the South involved in the war. Additionally, Twain describes cock fighting, which he finds abhorrent, and mule races, a pastime he enjoys. (Chapter XLIV-XLV)

Chapter XLVI-Chapter LX

Reading Check

1. Mardi Gras (Chapter XLVI)

2. Mr. Bixby (Chapter XLVII)

3. A Roman soldier (Chapter LI)

4. Lynch (Chapter LV)

Short Answer

1. Twain claims there is a man named Captain Sellers who wrote under the name Mark Twain. Clemens (Twain), mocked Captain Sellers by writing an article using the name Mark Twain as his own pen name. Captain Sellers, angry with Clemens, did not write again. Clemens then began using the man’s pen name. The retelling of the story is comical in nature. (Chapter L)

2. Twain returns to his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, claiming to be an individual by the name of Smith. He inquires of a man on the street about Mark Twain and the man claims Twain has a reputation of being foolish. (Chapter LIII)

3. Twain once gave an unhoused person a match and later discovered the man died by setting himself on fire with his pipe in his sleep. Twain felt as though he may be held responsible for the man’s death. (Chapter LVI)