Mark Twain

Roughing It Mark Twain

Mark Twain's "Roughing It" has been called many things since it's publication; a semi-autobiographical novel, a "somewhat informal travel journal" among other things. The story takes place in the early 1860s and spans the distance between St. Louis and San Francisco. The mining business in the western part of the country had just begun to take off, and it is these events Twain chooses to serve as the backdrop for much of the narrative. As is indicative of Twain's writing, "Roughing It" deals as much with the landscape and the events of the time period as do the author's own experiences. Much of the country was in the midst of an economic turning point during the time period Twain's tale begins. It's effect on the people and the environment fascinated Twain. He includes much of these details - along with the further evolution of the English language and the manner in which nature had been altered by man - in a book that is as comedic as it is informative. But Twain doesn't force the funny. Instead he uses the misadventures, mishaps and honest mistakes of his doppelganger as a way of illustrating why he can't quite seem to achieve the one goal he's set for himself - finding a quick and easy path to wealth.