Summary

 

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain was published in 1869 and is centered around Twain's "Great Pleasure Excursion." Twain's travels took him from his departure in New York to various islands and countries leaving him with many entertaining stories to tell about his experiences. The itinerary consisted of taking Twain and the other voyagers to Gilbraltar, various European countries, the Holy Land, Middle East, Egypt, and many places in between.

 

In chapters one through nine, the majority of this time is spent on the ship traveling to the desired locations. While on the ship, Twain and the other travelers spend their time getting to know their surroundings and their fellow travelers. Everyone on board must find ways to entertain themselves and keep busy. The travelers use mock trails, dancing, and singing to amuse themselves until they reach land for the first time.

 

After being at sea for ten days, Twain and the rest of the ship reaches the Azores. Twain states "out of our whole ships company there was not a solitary individual who knew anything whatever about them" and that they were coming to the Azores with very little information about this land and the people (p.55). Twain introduces the nickname "pilgrims" for his fellow travelers. He takes note of the overwhelming welcoming they receive as well as the dress of the women and the issues with the language and currency. Twain takes a tour of a cathedral on the island of Fayal and is told that the exact cross where Jesus was crucified is stored within this cathedral. He doubts the authenticity of the cross and makes fun of their intelligence for believing this is truly the cross Jesus was crucified on. The tour continues with a donkey ride causing chaos while Twain found humor in the ridiculousness of it all. 

 

About a week later of traveling at sea, they reach the Straits of Gibraltar in Africa. Twain states "the worn castaways were to see the blessed land again!- and to see it was to bring back that mother-land that was in all their thoughts" showing that they were excited of the familiarity of land (p.63). In addition to seeing land, they also see an American ship which takes their excitement away from the land and puts it toward the excitement of finding a piece of home while abroad. While visiting Gibraltar, Twain seems to be bored and doesn't find this stop very intriguing. 

 

When reaching their next stop, Tangier, Twain finally finds satisfaction, as this place seems to be full of "foreignness". Twain seems fascinated with the people of Tangier as he says they "lived ion the rudest possible huts, and dressed in skins and carried clubs, and were as savage as the wild beasts they were constantly obliged to war with. But they were a gentlemanly race, and did no work" (80). Twain respects and praises the people of Tangier due to their simplicity compared to Americans. Twain wraps up his trip in Tangier by appreciating the rich culture of this foreign place.