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Cover of Sinners and Saints: A Tour Across the States and Round Them, with Three Months Among the Mormons

Sinners and Saints: A Tour Across the States and Round Them, with Three Months Among the Mormons

Written by Phil Robinson

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West (U.S.)Latter Day Saint churchesUtah

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About this book

"Sinners and Saints" by Phil Robinson is a travel narrative written in the late 19th century. This account takes readers on a journey across the United States, particularly focusing on the experiences and observations of the author as he navigates through the emerging society of the Mormons and the American frontier. Through his narrative, Robinson explores various themes such as culture, society, and the development of towns, as he reflects on both the virtues and vices of the people he encounters. At the start of the book, Robinson embarks on a train journey across America, beginning in New York and heading towards Chicago. Through his keen observations, he describes the scenery outside the train, including the peculiarities of American life and the character of various towns along the route. The author interacts with fellow passengers, reflects on the agricultural landscape, and muses about the stark contrast between the natural beauty and the burgeoning civilization. His humorous and insightful commentary sets the tone for a travelogue that promises to blend personal anecdotes with sociocultural critiques as he continues his exploration across the states.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Sinners and Saints: A Tour Across the States and Round Them, with Three Months Among the Mormons, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 10 hours
  • intermediate
  • observational
  • humorous
  • insightful

Phil Robinson's "Sinners and Saints" is a late 19th-century travel narrative documenting his extensive journey across the United States, with a significant portion dedicated to his observations of the Mormon community. Beginning with a train journey from New York to Chicago, Robinson offers keen insights into the American landscape, burgeoning towns, and the character of its people, blending humorous anecdotes with socio-cultural critiques. The book explores themes of American identity, frontier development, and the contrasts between nature and civilization, as seen through the eyes of a discerning British observer. His narrative provides a valuable historical snapshot of a nation in flux, reflecting on both the virtues and vices he encounters across the diverse states and among the unique society of the Mormons.

“One cannot but marvel at the sheer audacity of man to carve such a civilization from the very teeth of the wilderness, though often at the expense of its pristine beauty.”

Key themes

American Identity and Frontier Development
This theme explores how the United States was forging its national character during a period of rapid westward expansion and industrialization. Robinson observes the blend of rugged individualism and community building, the development of towns from wilderness outposts, and the diverse regional identities contributing to a nascent national identity.
Cultural Observation and 'Othering'
Robinson's narrative is fundamentally an act of cultural observation, particularly highlighted during his three months among the Mormons. This theme delves into how an outsider perceives and interprets different cultures, leading to insights but also potentially to 'othering' – highlighting differences in a way that emphasizes foreignness or peculiarity, even when attempting impartiality.
Nature vs. Civilization
This theme is explored through Robinson's observations of the American landscape, contrasting the untouched natural beauty of the continent with the encroaching signs of human settlement and industrialization. It reflects a common 19th-century concern about the impact of progress on the environment and the human spirit.

Worth discussing

How does Robinson's British perspective shape his observations of American culture and society in the late 19th century?

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