Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
The lightning there is peculiar; it is so convincing, that when it strikes a thing it doesn't leave enough of that thing behind for you to tell whether-Well, you'd think it was something valuable, and a Congressman had been there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously critiques the fleeting and destructive nature of political influence.
Mark Twain uses the imagery of lightning to convey the idea that powerful forces, particularly in politics, can leave a situation seemingly devastated and unrecognizable. The humor lies in comparing the destructive impact of lightning to the actions of a politician, suggesting that both can create a scene that appears valuable but is ultimately left in ruins, reflecting Twain's trademark wit and skepticism towards political figures.
Themes
LightningPoliticsHumorDestructionInfluence
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate, to emphasize the unpredictable nature of politicians.
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