On His Own: Crossing the Mississippi Summary

Nick is on board a train headed for Mississippi and recalls being at a game in the World Series between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees. He wonders if the White Sox won the final game and asks a man selling magazines, who tells him that the White Sox did, which pleases him. He watches with anticipation to see when the train will cross the Mississippi, a sight he has not seen. When it does, it summons to mind images of Mark Twain and his characters.

On His Own: Crossing the Mississippi Analysis

Though short, this story, like "The Last Good Country," continues the theme of glorifying nature. Nearly half of the story is dedicated to describing the changing landscape as he enters Mississippi. The reference to Twain is perhaps...