Life on the Mississippi, Part 9.

Name: Life on the Mississippi, Part 9.
Author: Mark Twain

A sequence of travel sketches describes river approaches to New Orleans, the precarious levees, and the city's familiar warehouses and wharves, noting economic and social changes since the war. The narrator records urban sights and smells, burial grounds and funeral practices, disease and embalming, and the costs and rituals surrounding death. He catalogues local speech and idioms, highlights the custom of lagniappe as a small free extra, and depicts pastime culture from cockfighting to mule racing. Throughout, memories of the conflict pervade conversation, shaping civic identity and daily life.

By Mark Twain

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American Literature History - American Travel Writing

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About the Author

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American author and humorist known for his sharp wit and keen observations of human nature. Born in 1835, he gained fame with works that often explored themes of race, identity, and society in America. His most notable novel, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," is celebrated for its innovative narrative style and profound social commentary. Twain's other significant work, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," showcases his satirical take on the clash between modernity and medievalism. His legacy endures as a cornerstone of American literature, influencing countless writers and shaping the literary landscape.