Final answer:
The description of Twain trying to hold his temper as he is training to become a steamboat pilot characterizes his personal growth and the narrative tension in 'Life on the Mississippi'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Twain tries to hold his temper when Brown gets angry describes a scene in Life on the Mississippi, where Mark Twain, as the narrator and character, is learning to pilot a steamboat on the Mississippi River under Mr. Bixby's direction. This moment highlights Twain's development as a cub pilot and serves as part of the plot's rising action. Such scenes showcase Twain's capacity for restraint and help to build character depth as well as tension in the narrative.
By embodying a persona of calm, Twain provides a contrasting backdrop to the heated anger of Brown, thereby enriching the personal narrative. This literary choice supports a broader understanding of the challenges and emotional experiences faced during his steamboat pilot training.