An Encounter with an Interviewer
A young journalist from the Daily Thunderstorm visits a notable figure for an interview. The interviewee, feeling somewhat dull that morning, engages in a humorous and absurd exchange with the interviewer. The dialogue reveals the interviewee's peculiar logic and memory, leading to a series of nonsensical yet entertaining responses. The interviewer begins with standard questions about age and birthplace, but the interviewee's answers are contradictory and whimsical. He claims to be nineteen but also states he began writing in 1836, leading to confusion about his age. When asked about the most remarkable person he has met, he mentions Aaron Burr, claiming to have encountered him at his funeral, which raises further questions about the nature of life and death. As the interview progresses, the absurdity escalates. The interviewee provides a birth date that would make him over a century old, and when questioned about siblings, he vaguely recalls a brother named Bill, who he believes may be dead but is uncertain. The conversation touches on themes of identity and memory, particularly when the interviewee reveals a childhood incident involving him and his twin brother, leading to a comical yet tragic mystery about which of them drowned. The interviewer, increasingly baffled, tries to make sense of the interviewee's statements, but the latter's logic remains elusive. The interview concludes with the interviewee sharing a trivial yet amusing anecdote about Burr's funeral, which encapsulates the absurdity of the entire encounter. The young journalist leaves, having gathered material for his article, while the interviewee reflects on the peculiarities of life and memory. The work showcases Twain's signature humor, blending absurdity with social commentary on the nature of interviews and public personas.
By Mark Twain · First published 1885 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Fiction · 1,871 words
First lines
The nervous, dapper, "peart" young man took the chair I offered him, and said he was connected with the Daily Thunderstorm, and added:
"Hoping it's no harm, I've come to interview you."
What this Textopian page supports
An Encounter with an Interviewer is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mark Twain, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mark Twain
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Satire, Fiction, Dialogue, Social Commentary
- Length: 1,871 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for An Encounter with an Interviewer by Mark Twain
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering An Encounter with an Interviewer?
- How does this short story by Mark Twain fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Humor — The dialogue is filled with wit and absurdity, characteristic of Twain's comedic style.
- Satire — The piece critiques social norms and the absurdity of interviews, reflecting Twain's satirical approach.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional dialogue that explores character interactions and themes.
- Dialogue — The entire piece is structured as a conversation, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in storytelling.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Irony · Critique · American Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Autobiographical Elements · Self-Deprecation · Wit · Sarcasm · Cultural Commentary