SYMHC Classics: Georgia Gold Rush

The American Claimant is a satirical novel that delves into the themes of class, identity, and the differences between American democracy and English aristocracy. The story revolves around Colonel Mulberry Sellers, an eccentric American inventor, and Howard Tracy, the son of an English earl who seeks to live in America based on his own merit. The novel features a series of comedic misunderstandings and role switches, including Sellers' schemes to acquire an English earldom and Tracy's experiences in America. Mark Twain uses this narrative to critique the social hierarchies of both countries and explore the idea that people must agree to value class systems for them to exist.