The paper intends to make a critical response to Mark Twain's Boyhood Home, Museum in Hannibal, Missouri. The tour was demanding and full of experiences. As we entered the compound, we were given general idea and facts about the museum. First, the complex is made up of eight buildings. These structures comprise of six designed for historical significance and two buildings set aside as interactive museums. The historical buildings contain a variety of artifacts. Among the prominent objects include the paintings by Norman Rockwell, who is described as the master of Americana. We were also introduced to Hannibal of Mark Twain's childhood and stories he created out of imagination.
Mark Twain work has had several influences in the city. His sense of vision was so high. This is reflected by his ability to rise from poverty through honest and industrious labor. His creations pass insightful messages that can influence the youths of today and shape them to finer adult citizens. In one of the statue, two young boys are on an adventure to "conquer the world." They left their comfort paradise to engage in the most serious issues of life. One of the boys is depicted with a knapsack and aggressive body posture.
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The depiction, according to my interpretation is used to symbolize aggressive ambition and initiative. Taking children to Hannibal will enable them to learn how to venture into the world and the qualities needed. Interestingly, one of the children depicted is holding another by the arm and trying to bar him from what he is doing. Such depiction shows that in society, there are those individuals willing to venture into the world aggressively, and at the same time, there are those who are there to distract others. Children are expected to emulate those ready to venture into the world aggressively. The degree of imagination is so high and help people find a solution to some of their problems. Mark Twain, in other words, had an objective of depicting the truth and show people how they can handle their problems such as poverty and other related problems.
Despite the fact that Mark Twain's work seem to bring hopes, it is apparent that the depiction found in the museum and their intended purposes are more ideal than real. The museum seems to focus on the positive side of life rather than both the positive and adverse. It propagates a myth of an idyllic nineteenth-century America. The story of slavery, which was part of life during Mark Twain's time is not shown. The museum depicts childhood life as a life characterized by simplicity and innocent fun. The museum represent Hannibal as "very civilized" yet in reality it is not. It does not cover the dark underside of the city or rather the nation.
It is important to note that the level of imagination used by Mark Twain in most of his work is too high such that it can obscure reality. The way the architecture surrounding the museum was designed explicitly indicate that Mark Twain had extra level of imagination and wanted to create a "paradise.' The design is based on the Gothic style. The nature of architecture alone can attract so many people to the museum. It has a high sense of novelty, and the internal arrangement is very good. It has several large balconies and emulates Mississippi River steamboat. The boyhood house museum is unique in its sense. It is full of artifacts and Mark Twain's work on childhood life. However, as earlier stated, the boyhood house museum seem to have information that is ideal and not real. However, the house is a reflection of American Dream.
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