POST 1

he Innocents Abroad has Twain commenting on the Old World and what Twain felt were outdated, pompous, and condescending attitudes towards Americans. And while the book is a marvelous look at the daily occurrences experienced and the people met on his voyage to “The Holy Land,” it also gives us pause to think of Twain’s observations on the Middle East. His view on Palestine, for example, is a   “blistering, naked, treeless” “wasteland”, “monotonous and uninviting,” and “a hopeless, dreary, heart-broken land.” Several other passages in the novel do not suggest Mark Twain was concerned about being a public relations representative of the United States. How might The Innocents Abroad spark rage from those abroad in the 21^st century? Are there passages in the novel that seem in line with today’s travels and worldviews?

Evaluation Criteria

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings from the module with proper APA style formatting.

POST 2

Roughing It allows Mark Twain to comment on just about anything with which he came into contact: This is a semi-autobiographical novel, based on Twain’s trip to Nevada to work his brother, Orion, who had secured the position of Secretary of the Nevada Territory. Certainly, it is full of adventure — one can get a true sense of “the Old West” with a read of the novel. Yet the novel sparks controversy as well: Twain comments on the Mormons, the need for human reformation, and the natives of Hawaii are but a few of Twain’s targets. What was your favorite passage in our readings of Roughing It — and why?

Evaluation Criteria

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings from the module with proper APA style formatting.