1. Twain's first exposure to another people is when he lands in the Azores Islands. He listens to the people speaking Portuguese and scoffs at the many beggars. What is his first impression of the people of the Azores, and why do you think he feels the way he does about them?

2. Twain has not been very complimentary to the cities/countries he has visited so far, and Italy is doomed to the same fate so far in Chapter 20. He lumps Italy with the other disappointments he has experienced up until that time. What indication does Twain give that he is unhappy with Italy?

3. On a visit to the Capuchin Convent, the group is led into a vault decorated with the bones of ancient deceased monks. What is it about this vault that so fascinates Twain?

4. We are introduced to a character called the Oracle. How did he earn this moniker? How do Twain and his shipmates feel about this man?

5. The ancient city of Pompeii was buried under an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Twain imagines what the lives of the people of Pompeii must have been like and wonders whether U.S. history would be correctly reported if something similar occurred in the United States. What do you think prompts Twain to wonder such a thing?

6. Twain is fascinated with Tangier. Its very foreignness entertains him inestimably. Why do you think Tangier has such an impact on Twain?

7. In Chapter 13, the group hires a tour guide to show them famous sites. Despite being tasked with this duty, the guide seems more interested in obtaining money by taking the tourists shopping and earning a commission. He even manages to keep them from making the Louvre before closing. What does this say about the tour guides in Paris, and how might this affect the group's hiring of other tour guides in the future?

8. Twain feels intellectually and culturally insecure in Venice. Describe why a tour guide furthers these insecurities.

9. The romantic story of Heloise and Abelard is given a large section in Chapter 15. The entire chapter is nearly taken up by the story, despite the focus given to a cemetery. Why do you think Twain chose to include this story?

10. Twain is a bit contradictory in his opinions of the French. Outline Twain's opinions and theorize why he might feel that way.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Twain uses other people's words to write his article at times. For example, when in Nazareth, he copies an extract from the Apocryphal New Testament. Why do you think he does this? Twain doesn't strike one as a person in want of words, so why is it important to note that he does quote other writers?

Essay Topic 2

Compare/contrast the group's journey through the Holy Land to their journey through France. Though there are some very similar encounters/situations, the Holy Land tour appears to be more appealing to the group overall. What factors do you think contribute to the group's favoring the Holy Land over France? Or, if you believe the opposite to be true, explain why and site examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Several members of Twain's group deface ancient ruins and artifacts for souvenirs. Twain even makes a point of telling one member that he is gathering nothing more than old dirt on one occasion. Even that won't deter the man. What are the implications of the defacement? Do you think that this is a moral or state issue? Why? Why do you think Twain includes this in his story? Elaborate.

(see the answer keys)

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