# VII explained — The Innocents Abroad

> Chapter companion for The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain.

## What happens

The chapter describes a week of stormy seas and seasickness, culminating in a tempestuous night. The ship finally reaches the Straits of Gibraltar, where the passengers sight Africa, Spain, and the Rock of Gibraltar. A beautiful American ship passes by, stirring patriotic emotions. The narrator reflects on the Pillars of Hercules, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the town. The chapter also includes anecdotes about a poet and an inquisitive young passenger, a private excursion to Tangier, and a visit to Gibraltar's galleries.

## Themes in this chapter

### Travel as Education

The narrator reflects on the ignorance of ancients and the learning gained through travel, such as the true nature of the Pillars of Hercules.

### Home and Belonging

The sight of the American flag abroad evokes a powerful sense of home and patriotism among the passengers.

### Satire of Tourism

The poet's annoying distribution of verses and the 'Interrogation Point' passenger's gullibility satirize tourist behavior.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Describes the storm, the sighting of land, and the emotional impact of seeing the American flag abroad.

### Dan

Accompanies the narrator and the ship's surgeon to buy kid gloves in Gibraltar.

### The Doctor

The ship's surgeon who goes with Dan and the narrator to buy gloves.

### Judge Oliver

Mentioned as part of the group met on the way to the theater in Gibraltar.

### Mehemet Ali Ben Sancom

Garrison commander of the fortress of Malabat, noted for holding the place for two years.

### Wm. C. Grimes

Implied as the poet who distributes verses and is referred to as the 'Laureate of the Ship'.

## Key lines

> We don't mind the Oracle. We rather like him. We can tolerate the Oracle very easily, but we have a poet and a good-natured enterprising idiot on board, and they do distress the company.

The Oracle is acceptable, but the poet and the naive, inquisitive passenger are annoying to everyone.

_The narrator distinguishes between tolerable and intolerable fellow travelers._

> To see it is to see a vision of home itself and all its idols, and feel a thrill that would stir a very river of sluggish blood!

Seeing the American flag abroad evokes a powerful, emotional vision of home and all it represents.

_The flag sighting triggers a deep patriotic and nostalgic response._

> The information the ancients didn't have was very voluminous. Even the prophets wrote book after book and epistle after epistle, yet never once hinted at the existence of a great continent on our side of the water; yet they must have known it was there, I should think.

The ancients and even the prophets were ignorant of the Americas, though the narrator sarcastically suggests they should have known.

_A humorous critique of historical and biblical knowledge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_innocents_abroad_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_innocents_abroad_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_innocents_abroad_se/chapters