Point of View

The author uses a first person perspective in the narrative. Although Mark Twain presents himself as the main character, he is never addressed by name in the entire book. He uses a humorous and sarcastic voice throughout most of the book, though he throws in moments of outrage and indignation when appropriate. The excursion is presented with Twain as an ordinary American and not as a great novelist and journalist. He hardly even mentions himself as a writer. The author's point of view is often humorous. He can politely say one thing, though the reader can easily pick up the sarcasm and irony enough to know that he has told a joke.

Twain's view of the characters make each appear as cartoons, which might be why he never mentions anyone's full name. In the author's eyes, most people have a distinct ignorance about them, even his...