Audio excerpt Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain

Summary

In Mark Twain's 'Life on the Mississippi,' the narrator reflects on the deep, unwavering ambition of his youth to become a steamboatman. The village on the Mississippi River was captivated by the arrival of steamboats, and every boy dreamt of joining the river's grandeur. Despite brief distractions from other dreams, the narrator yearned for the respected position of a steamboat pilot. As the story unfolds, it explores themes of ambition, envy, and the complexities of growing up, with the narrator's eventual pursuit of the dream despite the challenges and societal expectations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The main childhood ambition in the village was to become a steamboatman, overshadowing all other fleeting ambitions like becoming clowns or pirates.
• 😀 The arrival of steamboats from St. Louis and Keokuk brought a sense of excitement and life to the otherwise sleepy town.
• 😀 The town's atmosphere was often idle, with people lounging, freight piles scattered, and the town drunkard taking his rest.
• 😀 When a steamboat approached, the whole town came alive with excitement, rushing to the wharf to witness the majestic arrival of the boat.
• 😀 Steamboats were awe-inspiring to the townspeople, with their large size, decorative features, and the grand display of smoke and fire as they arrived.
• 😀 The narrator's dream of being a steamboatman involved various roles, like a cabin boy, deckhand, or even a pilot, all of which were seen as glamorous and exciting.
• 😀 One of the narrator’s peers managed to become a steamboat apprentice, which created a sense of awe and jealousy, as it defied the town's expectations.
• 😀 The steamboat apprentice, despite his lack of moral virtues, gained admiration for his position, flaunting his work and adopting steamboat terminology.
• 😀 The boys in the town began to follow in the apprentice's footsteps, with many of them trying to work on the river, particularly aiming to become pilots.
• 😀 The prestige and financial reward of being a pilot were enormous, with pilots earning significantly more than many other professions in the town, including ministers.

Q & A

What was the primary ambition of the children in the village?

The primary ambition of the children in the village was to become steamboatmen, a permanent desire that outlasted other fleeting ambitions such as becoming circus clowns or pirates.

How did the arrival of steamboats affect the village?

The arrival of steamboats brought excitement to the village, transforming a dull day into one full of movement and anticipation. The townspeople would gather to watch the steamboats arrive and depart, marveling at their grandeur.

What was the significance of the steamboat in the narrator's life?

The steamboat represented the narrator's dreams and aspirations, symbolizing freedom, adventure, and the possibility of a more glamorous life. It became a central part of his childhood imagination and ambitions.

What were the different roles on a steamboat that the narrator fantasized about?

The narrator fantasized about being a cabin boy to serve with a white apron, or a deckhand who stood at the end of the stage, drawing attention with a coil of rope in hand. Later, he considered becoming an engineer or a pilot.

How did the narrator feel when one of the village boys became a steamboat apprentice?

The narrator felt disappointed and confused, as the boy who became a steamboat apprentice was considered worldly, while the narrator prided himself on being more virtuous. It was a blow to his Sunday school teachings and sense of justice.

What qualities did the boy who became a steamboat apprentice exhibit?

The boy was admired and envied by the village boys. He had a cocky demeanor, wore distinctive clothing, and used technical steamboat language. He also flaunted his steamboat status, using his newfound wealth and knowledge to establish dominance.

Why did the narrator's feelings toward the boy shift after his boat exploded?

After the boy's boat exploded and he returned alive and bandaged, the narrator felt a sense of injustice. The boy was now seen as a hero, which aggravated the narrator’s feelings about the boy’s undeserved luck and status.

What impact did the boy's success have on other children in the village?

The boy's success encouraged many other children from the village to seek jobs on steamboats, with many of them eventually becoming engineers, pilots, and clerks. It became a path to prestige and opportunity for the youth of the town.

What was the role of a steamboat pilot, and why was it so desirable?

A steamboat pilot was the most prestigious role, earning a handsome salary of $150 to $250 per month, with no need to pay for board. This made the position very attractive, as it was much better paid than other jobs and offered a sense of importance and respect.

How did the narrator attempt to achieve his dream of becoming a steamboatman?

The narrator ran away in hopes of becoming a steamboat pilot, though his attempts to gain entry were met with rejection. He faced cold treatment from mates and clerks, but he held on to his dream of eventually becoming a respected pilot.