Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

The Mysterious Stranger is the story of the fantasy events and magical occurrences in a print shop in a castle in Austria in 1490. The novella, which was published posthumously in 1916, 6 years after Mark Twain's death, addresses the issues of religion and self-discovery.

As the story begins, it is winter in Austria in the year 1490. Austria is tucked away geographically and socially and is still a very strict Catholic country. The story is told by 16-year-old August Feldner, who is a printer's apprentice at Rosenfeld Castle in Eseldorf, Austria.

August finds Austria to be the ideal location for boys because schooling is not emphasized and religion takes priority. Original thought is frowned upon in the village, and the local priest, Father Adolf, maintains his rounds to make sure that the unspoken rule is followed. Father Adolf is both feared and respected because...