Mark Twain spends more than six years as a traveler in this novel. What was the original reason for his trip, and how do his goals change over time? How does he himself change?

Discuss Twain’s depiction of the cultures that he encounters in his travels. What critical lenses and habits of mind characterize his way of seeing groups of people?

Characterize Twain’s journey by stagecoach. What are its high points? What are its low points? How does Twain juxtapose the reality of this journey against his expectations?