Identification of Tools of Figurative Language: “Two Views of the Mississippi” by Mark Twain

Two Views of the Mississippi by Mark Twain reveals the admiration of the author with the powerful river, but also the author uncovers the intrinsic, hidden power of the river which resembles him a living being. In such comparison of the river to the living being the author elevates the description of the river to the higher level. He does not simply describes the river but he attempts to raise the philosophic question of human existence and he attempts to raise the question of the existence of two worlds one of which is clearly seen because it stays on the surface and is always visible to people, while there is another world that is hidden and not visible but which one may discover, if one looks beyond the surface as if one looks beyond the surface of the water of the river. At the same time, the ultimate goal of the author is not just to depict the beautiful and powerful river that has something to hide, but also the author attempts to make the audience think of the  real life and to learn to have a critical view on everything people see or encounter in their life. The author uses allegory as a powerful figure of speech to remind people that they should have a look beyond what they see and critically analyze what they see to find out and admit the truth hidden beyond the surface, even if that hidden truth is terrible and frightening.

At first, Mark Twain starts with the depiction of the beautiful river. The author uses epithets to describe the Mississippi river, like “majestic river” or else “graceful curves, reflected images, woody heights, soft distances; and over the whole scene, far and near, the dissolving lights drifted steadily, enriching it every passing moment with new marvels of coloring “ (Twain 2). In such a way, he shows how beautiful and great the Mississippi river is. The description is really fascinating and picturesque description of the river with the abundance of epithets helps to increase the interest and evoke the admiration of the author. The greatness of the river is impressing and, in this regard, the author seems to be like any observer, who cannot help from admiration from observing the Mississippi River.

At the same time, the author uses the metaphor to emphasize that the view of the Mississippi River is well-known to any, who could have ever seen it since when could “know every trifling feature that bordered the great river as familiarly as I knew the letters of the alphabet” (Twain 2). The author uses the metaphoric comparison of the familiarity with the river to alphabet is purposeful because the author shows that one can learn the river in details and know it perfectly, but such familiarity may be superficial.

The author attempts to show the audience that one’s superficial view on the river may be deceitful because one cannot know absolutely everything about the river as he/she looks at its surface. Even if one believes that he/she knows the river well, there may be something he/she has missed. This is why the author uses repetition “But I had lost something, too. I had lost something…” (Twain 2). Mark Twain emphasized that he has lost something and he repeats this phrase twice to show that he has missed something really important. On the other hand, the author implies that a viewer can miss important points, if the viewer has a superficial look or is not attentive or critical in his or her view on the river. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that the author apparently wants the audience to go beyond the image of the river but also apply the idea of the something being missing in the regular life of people or even in themselves.

At this point, Mark Twain reveals the changing, ambidextrous nature of the river since there is not only the surface water but also the world under the water. To reach this effect, the author also uses metaphors to show how changing the river is and he even attributes the river with features of a living being: “A broad expanse of the river was turned to blood; in the middle distance the red hue brightened into gold, through which a solitary log came floating black and conspicuous; in one place a long, slanting mark lay sparkling upon the water” (Twain 2). Metaphors help the audience to perceive more accurately the beauty of the river as well as some hidden power or world under the water.

The river also mirrors different shades and colors: “in another the surface was broken by boiling, tumbling rings, that were as many‐tinted as a opal; where the ruddy flush was faintest, was a smooth spot that was covered with graceful circles and radiating lines, ever so delicately traced; the shore on our left was densely wooded, and the somber shadow that fell from this forest was broken in one place by a long, ruffled trail that shone like silver; and high above the forest wall a clean‐stemmed dead tree waved a single leafy bough that glowed like a flame in the unobstructed splendor that was flowing from the sun” (Twain 2). In such a way, the author uses simile, such as like silver, like a flame, and others, to characterize the river and to uncover its great and powerful nature.

The author also uses metaphor to describe his admiration and a sort of consumption of the natural beauty of the river as he describes his observation of the river: “I drank it in, in a speechless rapture (Twain 3). However, such admiration is purposeful and his look at the river is like a drink of alcohol that makes hum drunk in a way and he cannot see absolutely clearly what is going on in the river. The river is changing but being drunk, he can hardly notice those changes. No wonder, he feels as if he is missing something. This idea is very important for the audience because the authors attempts to show that people should not be overwhelmed with their emotions at first sight of what they look at.

At the same time, the allegory is probably the most important figure of speech used by the author in Two Views of the Mississippi because he uses the allegory to show broader concepts and ideas on the ground of his description of the river. To put it more precisely, at first, the author describes the river. He describes its beauty and power. The Mississippi river is powerful and majestic to the observer. However, this is a superficial view on the river which is the view that a passer-by may have at the river as he travels by and just look from the window of a car, train or boat without any reflection. Such observer can see just what is on the surface of the river and around it, but the point of the author is to make the viewer look beyond that surface. The river covers the entire world under its surface water. The problem is that a regular observer cannot see it. The author, as an attentive and analytical observe, turns out to be capable to look beyond what he sees on the surface and uncovers the world which may be even richer than the world on the surface of the water. Moreover, the author steadily leads the audience to the idea that a wise observe can read not only what is on the surface of the river but what is under the surface water as well. This is actually the main allegory of Two Views of the Mississippi. The river is a good allegory to make the audience think of what they actually see on the surface of the river and what the water of the river hides from their inattentive eye.

At the same time, the main point why the author uses this allegory is the attempt of the author to show that human life is more complicated that it may seem to beAt the end of the story, Mark Twain makes the comparison of the river and its ambidextrousness to people, especially doctors. This comparison is particularly noteworthy because Mark Twain attempts to show the audience that people may observe things and issues which may look good and beautiful to them but, in actuality, they may be extremely dangerous or even deadly for people, as is the case of “the lovely flush in a beauty’s cheek mean to a doctor but a ʺbreakʺ that ripples above some deadly disease” (Twain 5). Such signs are not obvious for professionals or people, who have specialized knowledge, but what people take for granted and believe to be good turns out to be extremely dangerous in reality.

The author ends up the short-story with rhetoric questions: “What does the lovely flush in a beauty’s cheek mean to a doctor but a ʺbreakʺ that ripples above some deadly disease? Are not all her visible charms sown think with what are to him the signs and symbols of hidden decay? Does he ever see her beauty at all, or doesn’t he simply view her professionally, and comment upon her unwholesome condition all to himself? And doesn’t he sometimes wonder whether he has gained most or lost most by learning his trade?” (Twain 5). Such ending is quite symbolic and purposeful because it makes the audience think of what readers may be unaware of or what they may guess about but fear to admit and to confess to themselves. The author attempts to make readers question themselves and answer fairly to questions which they probably fear. Also, the author attempts to make the audience look beyond what they actually see and readers should try to evaluate critically what they see to understanding the real meaning of the observed world, events, and issues, which they witness in their life.

Thus, Mark Twain focuses on the depiction of the river to lead the audience to his allegory of the river which has surface water that hides a part that is unseen to observe and, in this respect, the river resembles human life, while people should learn to look beyond the surface water and accept the truth as it is. The author attempts to make his audience aware of the fact that what they see is not necessarily true and even the greatest and best things may have a dark side which is dangerous and harmful. This is why Two Views of the Mississippi makes the audience alert and concerned with what readers may not notice in their life but that is next to them and hides some important information from them. This literary work also teaches the audience to think critically that is also very important to look beyond shiny water of the river of life.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
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[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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