# About General Sickles explained — The Autobiography of Mark Twain

> Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain.

## What happens

Mark Twain recounts his interactions with General Sickles, a one-legged Civil War veteran, highlighting Sickles' vanity, his habit of wearing his hat indoors, and his peculiar behavior at social events. Twain contrasts Sickles' public persona with his private character, offering a humorous and critical portrait.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Human Nature

Twain exposes the contradiction between Sickles' public reputation and his private vanity and rudeness.

## Character check-ins

### Mark Twain

Narrator and observer of General Sickles' behavior.

### General Sickles

One-legged Civil War general, subject of the chapter; noted for his vanity and habit of wearing his hat indoors.

## Key lines

> He was a vain creature, and he liked to be noticed.

Sickles was conceited and enjoyed attention.

_Twain's direct characterization of Sickles' vanity._

> He always wore his hat in the house, and he never took it off to any one.

Sickles kept his hat on indoors and never removed it as a courtesy.

_Illustrates Sickles' disregard for social norms._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-i-about-general-sickles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters