The Innocents Abroad · Chapter
XXVII explained
The narrator describes their irreverent interactions with European guides, particularly in Rome and Genoa, where they feign ignorance and indifference to historical artifacts and figures like Christopher Columbus and Egyptian mummies.
What happens
The narrator describes their irreverent interactions with European guides, particularly in Rome and Genoa, where they feign ignorance and indifference to historical artifacts and figures like Christopher Columbus and Egyptian mummies. A lengthy anecdote about Judge Oliver's stoicism during a grueling journey across the Nevada desert illustrates the theme of uncomplaining endurance. The chapter also touches on the catacombs and various Roman legends.
Themes in this chapter
Satire of Tourism
The narrator and his companions deliberately mock guides and feign ignorance to subvert the typical tourist experience.
American vs. European Culture
The Americans' irreverent humor and practical jokes contrast with the guides' earnest, scripted presentations of European history.
The Absurdity of War
The phrase 'butchered to make a Roman holiday' alludes to the senseless violence of gladiatorial games.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Describes the group's deliberate tactic of feigning indifference to exasperate guides.
- The Doctor
Leads the questioning of guides with a deadpan, imbecilic tone; examines Columbus's letter and the mummy.
- Judge Oliver
Subject of a long anecdote about his uncomplaining nature during a harsh winter journey to the Humboldt mines.
- Ferguson
The Roman guide who is repeatedly bewildered by the group's indifference; called 'Ferguson' by the Doctor.
- Christopher Colombo
Mentioned as the subject of a letter and bust in Genoa; the group pretends not to know him.
Key passages
“Butchered to make a Roman holiday sounds well for the first seventeen or eighteen hundred thousand times one sees it in print, but after that it begins to grow tiresome.”
The cliché 'butchered to make a Roman holiday' is overused and has become tiresome.
The narrator comments on the triteness of a common phrase about Roman gladiators.
“We have made it interesting for this Roman guide. Yesterday we spent three or four hours in the Vatican, again, that wonderful world of curiosities. We came very near expressing interest, sometimes—even admiration—it was very hard to keep from it. We succeeded though.”
The group deliberately withheld any sign of interest or admiration while touring the Vatican, frustrating their guide.
Describes the group's tactic of feigning indifference to annoy the guide.
“Oliver accepted the situation so completely that although he must have sorrowed over many of his trials, he never complained—that is, he never complained but once.”
Judge Oliver endured many hardships without complaint, except for a single occasion.
Introduces the anecdote about Judge Oliver's stoicism.