3 Review(s)

In Volume 2 of The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain continues the journey with the group of American tourists through Europe and into the Middle East. The narrative picks up in Italy, where Twain offers his witty and satirical observations on the cultural treasures of cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. He humorously critiques the grandiosity of famous landmarks, religious relics, and art that others revere, often poking fun at the tourists’ tendency to exaggerate their cultural appreciation. His irreverent takes on masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and other great artists challenge conventional admiration, making his travel narrative both entertaining and subversive.The party's travels take them further eastward, leading them through Greece and Turkey, and finally into the Holy Land. As the group approaches religious sites, Twain’s tone shifts slightly, though he maintains his skeptical humor. He provides an often sarcastic but candid portrayal of the disparity between what tourists expect and the reality they encounter, particularly in the sacred sites of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Jordan River. Twain juxtaposes the spiritual significance of these places with the commercialization and squalor surrounding them, offering pointed critiques of the way religion and tourism intersect.