A Tramp Abroad Mark Twain
Mark Twain is considered one of the greatest authors in American literature. He wrote extensively about his travels, particularly during the late nineteenth century, when he was in Europe. His book A Tramp Abroad is often cited as one of his greatest successes, as it offers a unique and uproarious look at some of the places he visited.
A Tramp Abroad was Twain’s second book detailing his European travels, the first being The Innocents Abroad. Like The Innocents Abroad it is a humorous look at many of the strange practices and customs that Twain encountered during his stay in Europe. Twain also offers his unique take on the people he met and other social customs, often talking about the people he attempted to converse with and the struggle to understand them.
Twain’s travels took him across much of Europe and to the fabled cities of Paris, Venice, Rome and more. While the subject matter of A Tramp Abroad was often humorous, Twain was able to provide his readers with an engaging and educational look at much of Europe in the late 19th century. He was able to offer insight into many of the cultures and societies that he encountered in his travels.
One of the things that makes A Tramp Abroad so appealing is Twain’s ability to blend comedy and wit with serious discussion. He was able to take the reader on a virtual journey and to laugh at some of the customs and people he encountered along the way. For those who look closely, the book contains much more than just comedic observations and often provides surprise social insight in addition to the humour.
Twain was also able to deliver his unique take on situations with an almost contagious enthusiasm. This enthusiasm transfers to the reader and helps to enliven and energize the narrative of the book. The result is an often hilarious tour of Europe from the viewpoint of one of the world’s most beloved authors.
Twain’s Critique of the Old World
Twain’s travels also allowed him to deliver heavy critiques of Europe in the late 19th century. While much of A Tramp Abroad has a jovial tone, Twain also used his words to cross examine many of the customs and societies he encountered. This offered the reader a profound look at European society as seen through the eyes of one of the most influential authors of the time.
Twain was certainly not shy about pointing out some of the backward attitudes of many Europeans. He wrote frequently about the struggles of the working class and the difficulties faced by those in the lowest social circles. Twain also confronted the taboo subjects of religion and nationalism and often pointed out the hypocrisy or absurdity present in these subjects.
For those that take the time to look, the book offers much more than lighthearted storytelling. Twain’s critiques and insights still have relevance to the world we live in now. His words offer a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding and empathy and of the consequences of taking a blind eye to suffering.
Twain’s Influence on 20th Century Literature
Twain’s work on A Tramp Abroad greatly influenced literature in the 20th century. Twain’s style of storytelling and unique take on the world captivated readers and writers alike. Indeed, many of the characters, situations and arcs of his stories were incredibly influential for the authors that followed.
Twain’s characters are particularly of note, as many of them exhibit over the top reactions to mundane occurrences and use language and behaviour that would now be considered outrageous. However, in their time they were seen as bold and exciting, and they made a huge impact on the development of 20th century fiction.
The influence of A Tramp Abroad went beyond the written word and even extended to the development of film. Many of Twain’s stories can be seen in the early films of the silent era, with directors and stars such as Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd taking inspiration from the characters and situations that Twain wrote about. This influence was then felt in the films of later years, with films like Forrest Gump and the works of Woody Allen heavily reliant on the kind of storytelling that originated with Twain.
Other Writings and Involvement in Politics
While A Tramp Abroad is rightly considered one of Twain’s great works, it was only a part of his immense amount of writing. Twain also wrote extensively on other topics and often used his reputation as a platform to comment on some of the political issues of the time. Indeed, he was brave enough to make comments on some of the most controversial subjects of the day.
Twain also wrote about other subjects, such as philosophy and science, demonstrating his desire to make sure that his writing had something to offer to all of his readers. His opinions on issues such as religion and capitalism remain relevant to this day and show that, while much has changed, his work still offers profound insight into society.
Twain’s work has also been cited in many works since he wrote it. In addition to his influence in writing and film, Twain’s words are still used to this day to comment on various topics and issues. His legacy as a thoughtful and brash writer will no doubt continue to inspire people for years to come.
Twain’s Popularity To This Day
The influence of Twain’s work and his relevance never fading have also been a contributing factor to his lasting popularity. His books are still widely read, with A Tramp Abroad sitting firmly amongst his other works as a classic book. Schools to this day often feature his works in their curriculums, contributing to the continued relevance of much of his work.
Twain’s influence can also be seen in the variety of media that has been based on his stories. This has been further buoyed by a large collection of biographies, papers, documents and articles that offer insight into the life and times of one of the greats of literature. The result is a thriving Mark Twain industry that celebrates the work of one of America’s greatest authors.
The Legacy of A Tramp Abroad
The lasting impact of A Tramp Abroad cannot be overestimated. Not only does it provide laughs, education and adventure for the reader, it also allows those who read it to gain an understanding of society from the viewpoint of one the greatest authors of all time. The various insights and critiques that Twain wrote still have relevance and relevancy to the world we live in now.
The novel also offers a fascinating look into the European culture of the late 19th century, allowing us to gain an understanding of the world and customs that Twain was exposed to during his tramp abroad. Twain’s influence on literature and film will no doubt continue to be felt for many years to come.
Twain’s Influence on the World Today
Mark Twain’s works have been studied, read and taught to generations of people. He remains one of the most respected authors of all time and his works remain timely and relevant to this day. His celebrations of humanity are as strong as his critiques and this makes his works as important for understanding the present world as it was for understanding the world centuries ago.
Twain’s influence as an author and a thinker is still enormously powerful and many of his works, including A Tramp Abroad and The Innocents Abroad have been recognised by the public as some of the greatest works of literature produced throughout history.
Conclusion and Further Reading
Mark Twain’s work on A Tramp Abroad has demonstrated his immense talent as a writer, an actor and a thinker. He was able to capture and present the world to his reader, always with an eye for detail and humour. This skill afforded him the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on literature in this world, with many of his works still relevant and studied to this day.
If you are looking for further reading on Mark Twain and A Tramp Abroad, some great sources of information include: Mark Twain’s Letters from Abroad: Selected from the Tramp Abroad and Other Works (2003), A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain (1880) and The Real Adventures of Tom Sawyer and His Friends (1984). All of these offer insight into the life and works of Mark Twain, with the latter being a compilation of some of his greatest works.
