Research Papers / 2 view of mississippi river vs. some reflection on american manner. [4]

Hi, this is my first semester of college and i'm doing a paper on these 2 essays. Mark Twain's 2 view of mississippi river and Tocqueville's some reflection on american manner. We have to do summary, anaysis/interpretation, synthesis, and evaluation on it. But i have no idea what the themes for both of the essays are, and what they have in common. I know that for Twain's essay, he basically stating that he rather see the ugly and truth then to ride like a passenger. For tocqueville, who just came to america, he sees that people in America also have some form of artistoctle manner within them ( even though america is suppose to be equal) So he sees the ugly , but truth as well . This is the only thing i know that they have in common

i'm asking those that have read these 2 essays, for abit of advice on the theme, because i have no idea what the american manner one is trying to see ( it is written in old english).

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.