Mark Twain – a remembrance
This weekend, I watched the movie Little Women. Back in my high school days, I had read the novel of the same name, written by Louisa May Alcott. The story follows four sisters learning the harsh lessons of poverty and growing up in New England. The movie held me captivated until the very end, largely because the settings felt so familiar. The March sisters’ house, in particular, reminded me of The Mark Twain House, which we visited two years ago in July at Hartford, Connecticut—one of the New England states of the USA. Somehow, watching Little Women made me want to write about that incredible place and my experience there.
Every time we [GNG] visited a mall in Connecticut, Gargi loved playing in one particular area. There was something special about it. The adventures of Huckleberry Finn seemed to come alive here. In one corner, a small note mentioned that this area was dedicated to Mark Twain, one of the most beloved writers of all time, who offered a unique window into American life. Reading this note always made me want to visit The Mark Twain House, and thanks to my husband, we decided to go one Saturday.
We arrived past noon. I was eager to see the house, where admission was allowed only through a guided tour. Upon entering, we found a museum center where we learned about Mark Twain’s life—a totally new experience for me. Numerous pictures of Twain and his family adorned the walls. Later, we were guided into the Mark Twain Home, the house where modern American literature was born. This nineteen-room wooden mansion was Twain’s residence from 1874 to 1891.
The sitting room was filled with beautifully decorated sofas, candle stands, and large portraits. As we climbed the stairway, we reached a long dining table with intricately carved chairs. A small balcony opened into a garden with a fountain. We then entered the reading room for Twain’s daughters. The guide explained that Twain had arranged for a tutor to teach the girls at home, and the tables and chairs were perfectly sized for their ages. The tiny chairs were adorable, one even adorned with a doll. Mark Twain’s bed was carved with angels. His wife, a skilled homemaker, loved knitting sweaters in her easy chair. We also saw a newly restored kitchen wing and a spacious billiard room, where Twain spent much of his time writing and discussing ideas with close friends.
We concluded our visit by watching a documentary about his life and achievements. I was left in awe of this author, who gave the world immortal characters like Tom and Huck, and is remembered as the creator of America’s greatest classics. As we were about to leave, I noticed a quote beside one of his portraits:
"One of my high ideals is to remain indestructible in a perishable world." – Mark Twain
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