The Autobiography of Mark Twain · Chapter
Wednesday, March 7, 1906 explained
Mark Twain recounts a trip to Vassar College with his daughter Susy in 1885, as recorded in Susy's biography.
What happens
Mark Twain recounts a trip to Vassar College with his daughter Susy in 1885, as recorded in Susy's biography. The chapter details their journey from New York to Poughkeepsie, including a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, discussions about German profanity inspired by Jean's German nurse, and the disappointing reception at Vassar. Twain reflects on his disdain for the college president, his delight in speaking to the young women, and his admiration for Susy's forgiving nature, which he contrasts with his own lack of patience.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Domestic Life
The chapter centers on Twain's relationship with his daughter Susy, their shared experiences, and domestic anecdotes about the German nurse.
Memory and Autobiography
Twain reflects on past events through Susy's biography, blending her youthful perspective with his own mature commentary.
Hypocrisy and Human Nature
Twain critiques the college president's discourtesy and contrasts it with Susy's charitable disposition, highlighting human flaws.
Characters to notice
- Mark Twain
Narrator and protagonist; recounts the trip to Vassar with Susy, his opinions on the college president, and his fondness for girls.
- Susy Clemens
Twain's daughter; author of the biography excerpted in the chapter; describes the trip, the reception at Vassar, and her father's reading.
- Livy Clemens
Twain's wife; seen off at the train by Twain and Susy; receives roses with a German inscription from Twain.
- Jean Clemens
Twain's younger daughter; mentioned in connection with her German nurse's profanity.
- Ulysses S. Grant
Visited by Twain earlier in the day before the trip to Vassar.
- Clara Clemens
Twain's daughter; mentioned as the recipient of German books for her birthday.
- Theodore Crane
Referred to as 'Aunt Clara' (Mrs. Stanchfield), a Vassar graduate who prompted the visit.
Key passages
“It brings that pretty little German creature vividly before me—a sweet and innocent and plump little creature, with peachy cheeks; a clear-souled little maiden and without offense, notwithstanding her profanities, and she was loaded to the eyebrows with them.”
Twain fondly remembers Jean's German nurse, a young girl who frequently used profanity but was innocent and sweet-natured.
Twain reflects on the nurse's profanity as harmless and amusing, contrasting with Livy's disapproval.
“How charitably she treats that ghastly experience! It is a dear and lovely disposition, and a most valuable one, that can brush away indignities and discourtesies and seek and find the pleasanter features of an experience.”
Twain praises Susy's ability to overlook the rude reception at Vassar and focus on the positive aspects of the trip.
Twain admires Susy's forgiving nature, which he says she inherited from her mother, Livy.
“I did not go to Vassar College professionally, but as a guest—as a guest, and gratis.”
Twain emphasizes that he was invited to Vassar as a guest and not paid for his appearance.
Twain clarifies the nature of his visit, which was arranged to please Aunt Clara.
