Mark Twain’s essay discusses how his view of the river changed as he learned his craft of a riverboat captain. Before he coolly analyzed characteristics of the river as keys to navigation, he saw the river of a place of mystery, beauty, and grace. A log branch highlighted by the setting sun no longer is glowing like a flame, but rather a riverboat captain’s analysis of wind to follow the next way as well as indicating the river was rising.
Mark Twain recognizes this phenomena and extends it to another discipline, that of a doctor. Prior to his education, it is likely he could appreciate a woman’s beauty, but with knowledge this could be changed to a medical diagnosis.
