# XV explained — The Innocents Abroad

> Chapter companion for The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain.

## What happens

The narrator describes a visit to Père la Chaise, the national burying-ground of France, reflecting on the great dead interred there, including Abelard and Heloise. He recounts the story of Abelard and Heloise in detail, criticizing the romanticized sentiment surrounding their tomb. The chapter concludes with observations on French women, a farewell to Paris, and a proud assertion that American women are the handsomest in France.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Hypocrisy

The narrator criticizes the sentimental worship at Abelard and Heloise's tomb, suggesting public sentiment is misplaced and hypocritical.

### The Past vs. the Present

Contrasts the ancient tombs of St. Denis with the more recent but equally revered graves at Père la Chaise, reflecting on how fame and memory evolve.

### Satire of Tourism

The narrator mocks tourists who visit the tomb without knowing the true story, and the commercialized memento-taking.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Visits Père la Chaise, recounts the story of Abelard and Heloise, and offers opinions on French and American women.

### The Brave Abbe

Mentioned as the Abbe Sicard, the first great teacher of the deaf and dumb, buried at Père la Chaise.

### Young George

Mentioned as George W. Fulbert, the uncle of Heloise, in the story of Abelard and Heloise.

## Key lines

> Go when you will, you find somebody snuffling over that tomb. Go when you will, you find it furnished with those bouquets and immortelles.

No matter when you visit, someone is always crying at the tomb, and it is always covered with flowers.

_Highlights the perpetual sentimental pilgrimage to Abelard and Heloise's grave._

> I cannot cease to be astonished at the simplicity of Fulbert; I was as much surprised as if he had placed a lamb in the power of a hungry wolf.

Abelard expresses shock at Fulbert's naivety in trusting him with Heloise.

_From Abelard's letter, illustrating his predatory intent._

> by far the handsomest women we have seen in France were born and reared in America.

The most beautiful women in France are actually American.

_Narrator's patriotic conclusion about American women's appearance._

## Links

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