Chapter 27 Summary

Twain learns in 1907 that an old friend, Jim Gillis, has died. Gillis was a natural storyteller that Twain knew during his years in California. Twain believes that with just a few years' training in writing, Gillis' literary genius would have made him famous.

Twain thinks a lot about the fact that Gillis' close friends and family were too close to recognize him as a genius. He reflects that a genius is usually not recognized by his intimates, nor himself.

Chapter 27 Analysis

Although this chapter was written or dictated in 1907, the editor has chosen to place it in somewhat chronological order. The bulk of the chapter is about Jim Gillis, so the editor fits it as close as possible to the time frame in which Twain lived in California.

Twain's recognition of Gillis as a literary genius is an example of Twain's respect for...