Sailing along the Mississippi River, following in the footsteps of the renowned author Mark Twain in the southern regions of the United States.
The Mississippi River, a historical and literary powerhouse, plays a pivotal role in the works of celebrated American author Mark Twain. This majestic waterway, steeped in history, offers a captivating backdrop for understanding the societal issues and personal narratives that defined the Civil War era.
The river's historical significance begins with its exploration by Europeans such as Hernando de Soto in 1541 and French explorers like Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette in the 1600s. It was during the "steamboat era" (1830-1870) that the river transformed into a major transportation route, a period that heavily influenced Twain's writing, particularly in his memoir, Life on the Mississippi, published in 1883.
Twain's novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published a year later, is set largely on the Mississippi River. The river serves as a backdrop for themes of freedom, adventure, and societal critique, particularly concerning slavery and racial issues during the Civil War era.
During this time, the Mississippi River held strategic importance in the Civil War, serving as a crucial transportation route and a source of supplies for both Union and Confederate forces. The First Battle of Memphis, fought on the river in 1862, marked a significant Union victory and helped secure control over the river.
In Twain's literature, the river symbolizes independence and freedom, reflecting themes relevant to the Civil War era, such as the struggle for racial equality and the tensions between North and South. However, after the Civil War, Twain felt a sense of shame, and his work, such as Huckleberry Finn, became about the same child growing up in a world where people thought themselves civilized, despite running a barbarous system.
Today, travellers can embark on a seven-night 'New Orleans & Southern Charms' itinerary by Viking, costing from £3,695 per person, to explore the Mississippi River and its rich history. The cruise ship, Viking Mississippi, sails gently upriver, passing antebellum mansions, docks in towns like Vicksburg, Natchez, and Darrow, Louisiana, and visits one of the antebellum mansions.
In Vicksburg, passengers can visit a bookstore and find a non-fiction title called Devils Walking, detailing the activities of an ultra-extremist branch of the Ku Klux Klan. The focus of their activities was in and around the towns of Natchez and Vicksburg.
In Natchez, passengers can enjoy a traditional lunch during the tour, including cornbread, fried chicken, okra, black-eyed peas, and local muscadine wines, while visiting On-Top-of-the-Hill, a former plantation owner's home. The cruise ship also docks in Natchez, allowing passengers to view the harborside area of Natchez Under-the-Hill, a sight that Twain described more than a century ago.
The Mississippi River, born in 1835 and this year marking the 190th anniversary of Twain's birth, continues to captivate and inspire, offering a glimpse into America's past and a testament to Twain's enduring legacy.
- The Mississippi River, a historical and literary powerhouse, is not just a background in Mark Twain's works, but a reflection of the societal issues and personal narratives that defined the Civil War era.
- Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts might find inspiration in the elegant antebellum mansions along the Mississippi River, a sight seen during Viking's 'New Orleans & Southern Charms' itinerary.
- Food-and-drink lovers can indulge in traditional Southern cuisine, including cornbread, fried chicken, okra, black-eyed peas, and local muscadine wines, during a tour in Natchez.
- Home-and-garden aficionados could explore the rich history of the former plantation owner's home, On-Top-of-the-Hill, in Natchez.
- Relationships and personal growth can be explored through the lens of Twain's works, which often critiqued societal norms, particularly concerning issues of racial equality during the Civil War era.
- Pets may accompany travelers on the Viking Mississippi cruise, offering a unique perspective of the river's history and scenery.
- Travelers with an interest in sci-fi-and-fantasy might find solace in the quiet moments aboard the Viking Mississippi, lost in a good book from the bookstore in Vicksburg.
- Educators and those seeking self-development can gain insights into the history of the American South by joining the Viking Mississippi's 'New Orleans & Southern Charms' itinerary.
- Sports fans could engage in sports-betting discussions or train their basketball skills during stops along the Viking Mississippi's journey.
- General news and crime-and-justice enthusiasts may find interest in the non-fiction title, Devils Walking, detailing the activities of an ultra-extremist branch of the Ku Klux Klan, available at a bookstore in Vicksburg.
- Weather conditions can sway the cruise itinerary, making it an essential topic of conversation among travelers embarking on the Viking Mississippi's 'New Orleans & Southern Charms' cruise.
