Exploring the American West: A Journey Through Words
Why did the author choose to travel by stagecoach through the American West?
B. It suggests how homesick the author is and hints that he can't wait to return to the United States and ride a stagecoach across the West.
C. It emphasizes the author's lack of experience as a traveler, by showing that he doesn't adapt well to new places and unfamiliar cultures.
D. It implies that people are not truly capable of leaving their home countries behind, and wherever they go, they are dissatisfied.
Answer: A
It reveals the author's feelings about his travel experience, by contrasting the ordered, uniform landscape of France and the wild, varied landscape of the American West.In this excerpt from "The Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain, the author vividly describes his journey through the American West in a stagecoach. He chose this mode of transportation because he found it more delightful than railroading, which he describes as tedious. The contrast between the French railway cars and the American West highlights the author's preference for the wild and varied landscape of the West.
The author's experience in the American West is portrayed as a rare holiday frolic that he measures all his pleasure trips against. The ceaseless rush and rattle of the stagecoach, the vast panoramas of bewildering perspective, and the beauty of the landscape create a sense of excitement and adventure that the author finds lacking in other modes of transportation.
By contrasting his travel experience in Europe with his journey through the American West, the author emphasizes his appreciation for the natural beauty and unique experiences that the American landscape offers. This choice reflects the author's feelings about travel and his preference for the untamed wilderness over the ordered landscapes of Europe.