The Innocents Abroad, Volume 2

The Innocents Abroad, Volume 2

The second volume of this travel narrative chronicles the author's experiences and observations as he journeys through various European locales, primarily focusing on France and Italy. The narrative is characterized by sharp wit, keen social commentary, and a blend of humor and critique regarding cultural differences, travel experiences, and the peculiarities of European life. The author begins by reflecting on the adjustments required when traveling abroad, such as adapting to foreign customs, dining experiences, and the quirks of hotel accommodations. He humorously laments the necessity of carrying personal items like soap, which is often not provided in hotels, and describes the elaborate dining rituals in France, where meals are served in multiple courses with wine accompanying each. As the journey progresses, the author visits notable sites, including the chateau Boarely and the Zoological Gardens, where he encounters a variety of animals and engages in amusing observations about their behaviors. He also explores the historical significance of the Castle d'If, a former prison, and reflects on the lives of its past inhabitants, drawing parallels between their experiences and the passage of time. Traveling through France, the author expresses admiration for the country's beauty, cleanliness, and orderliness, contrasting it with the chaotic nature of American life. He critiques the American tendency to rush and worry, suggesting that Europeans enjoy a more leisurely and appreciative approach to life. The narrative includes encounters with various characters, including loud Americans who disrupt the quiet ambiance of French dining establishments. Upon arriving in Paris, the author is captivated by the city's vibrancy and charm, visiting iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame and the Louvre. He humorously recounts his experiences with guides, barbers, and the challenges of navigating the city, often highlighting the absurdities of communication barriers and cultural misunderstandings. The author also reflects on the grandeur of Versailles, marveling at its beauty and the opulence of its gardens and architecture. He contrasts this with the more humble aspects of Parisian life, including visits to the Faubourg St. Antoine, where poverty and vice are prevalent. As the narrative unfolds, the author travels to Italy, where he continues to explore the cultural and historical significance of various locations, including Milan and Lake Como. He describes the stunning architecture of Milan's cathedral and the picturesque scenery of Lake Como, while also critiquing the commercialization of art and the superficiality of tourist experiences. Throughout the volume, the author employs humor and satire to critique both European and American cultures, ultimately advocating for a more mindful and appreciative approach to travel and life. The narrative concludes with reflections on the beauty of the landscapes encountered, the richness of cultural experiences, and the importance of savoring the journey rather than merely rushing through it.

By Mark Twain · First published 1869 · Genre: Travel Literature, Satire, Non-fiction · 10 chapters · 34,881 words

First lines

We are getting foreignized rapidly and with facility. We are getting reconciled to halls and bedchambers with unhomelike stone floors and no carpets -- floors that ring to the tread of one's heels with a sharpness that is death to sentimental musing. We are getting used to tidy, noiseless waiters, who glide hither and thither, and hover about your back and your elbows like butterflies, quick to comprehend orders, quick to fill them; thankful for a gratuity without regard to the amount; and always polite -- never otherwise than polite. That is the strangest curiosity yet -- a really polite hotel waiter who isn't an idiot. We are getting used to driving right into the central court of the hotel, in the midst of a fragrant circle of vines and flowers, and in the midst also of parties of gentlemen sitting quietly reading the paper and smoking. We are getting used to ice frozen by artificial process in ordinary bottles -- the only kind of ice they have here. We are getting used to all these things, but we are not getting used to carrying our own soap. We are sufficiently civilized to carry our own combs and toothbrushes, but this thing of having to ring for soap every time we wash is new to us and not pleasant at all. We think of it just after we get our heads and faces thoroughly wet or just when we think we have been in the bathtub long enough, and then, of course, an annoying delay follows. These Marseillaises make Marseillaise hymns and Marseilles vests and Marseilles soap for all the world, but they never sing their hymns or wear their vests or wash with their soap themselves.

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Travelogue · Satire · Humor · Social Commentary · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · European Travel · Cultural Criticism · Societal Satire · Observational Humor · Wit · Irony

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