Life on the Mississippi

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Twain learns the basics of steamboat piloting from Bixby, Brown, and others.

• What are the three most important things a pilot should know according to Twain? (topic sentence)
• Describe the three most important things to know as a steamboat pilot, then provide examples of steamboat pilots in Twain’s narrative who use these important skills.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why you believe Twain chose to include these important elements of steamboat piloting in his memoir.

2. Twain is saddened by the decline of the steamboat industry after the Civil War but concedes that growth is necessary and important.

• What are examples of growth Twain encounters upon his return to the Mississippi River? (topic sentence)
• Describe the positive changes that have been made on the Mississippi River and explain how they are examples of growth in America.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what changes specifically have caused the steamboat industry to decline.

3. Twain believes steamboat piloting is the most noble profession.

• Why does Twain believe steamboat piloting is noble? (topic sentence)
• What are some of the unusual or remarkable qualities that a steamboat pilot should have? Cite specific examples from the novel.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe whether you believe Twain’s claim is biased based on his own experience in the profession or if you believe Twain’s descriptions justify the nobility of piloting.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. Twain provides context about the Mississippi River by comparing it to other bodies of water telling the history of the explorers who visited the river. Discuss in two or three paragraphs the information Twain provides about the river and the way it helps the reader understand his message about the river’s importance. Support your response by incorporating details from the novel.

2. Consider Twain’s reflections on steamboat piloting before and after the Civil War. Incorporate multiple details into a paragraph to describe what has changed and what has remained the same after the war. Bolster your response by including specific examples from the book.  

3. Consider Twain’s use of humor to emphasize important points in his book. In a three-paragraph essay, explain how Twain uses humor in his stories and the lesson Twain teaches by using humor in the narrative. Include three examples from the novel providing quotes from the text to support your response.