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The 1,000,000 Bank Noteby Mark Twain

Synopsis:

Two wealthy brothers of London, England, disagree over what

would happen if some penniless individual were loaned a one

million pound bill for thirty days. To solve their argument, they

engage in an experiment with a Yankee, Henry Adams. The

overall effect is cheerfully melodramatic (full of exciting events

and exaggeration) and appeals to fantasies about windfalls of

money; the reader can share Adams pleasure in the surprise

and awe he arouses by pulling the one million pound bill fromhis tattered pocket to pay for his purchases. This amusing story

indicts a society in which the mere show of wealth can so

quickly raise ones standing.

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The Authors Background

Samuel (Sam) Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri, on

November 30, 1835, in a small two-room cabin. With his family,he moved to Hannibal, Missouri in 1839. Young Sam often

returned to Florida, Missouri, to spend summers on the farm of

his uncle John Quarles farm. While there, a slave, Uncle Danl

entertained Sam by telling tales. Uncle Danl would later

become a character (Jim) in The Adventures of

Huckleberry Finn.

Following the death of Sams father in 1847, 12 year-old Sam

quit school to work on Hannibals newspaper as a printers

devil (a printers assistant). He later became a travelling writer

as he travelled the world. Sam loved the Mississippi River and

even became a steamboat pilot. Sams pen name, Mark Twain,

was derived from a river term mark twain which meant safe

water.

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The Authors Background

Samuel Clemens first used his pen nameMark Twainas a

newspaper reporter for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise atthe age of twenty-eight. In 1861, Twain travelled to Europe and

the Holy Land writing and recording events all along the way. He

later published a book Innocents Abroadabout that trip. In

1870, he married Olivia Langdon who came from a wealthy

family; they had four children: Langdon, Susy, Clara, and Jean.

Throughout his life, Mark Twain knew that he had been born

under Halleys Comet. He predicted that he would go out with

the comet. Mark Twain died on April 21, 1910 and Halleys

Comet was, indeed, in the sky.

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Related Twain Quotes

Some men worship rank, some worship heroes, some

worship power, some worship God; over these ideals theydispute and cannot unitebut, they all worship money.

The lack of money is the root of all evil.

Honest poverty is a gem that even a King might be proud

to call his own, but I wish to sell out. I have sported that

kind of jewellery long enough.

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Name Henry AdamsAge 27

City of residence San Francisco

Nationality American

Occupation mining-brokers clerk

Expertise stock traffic

Company Blake Hopkins

Character traits Honest, simple, romantic, practical, enterprising, sarcastic

Personal information and character traits

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Name Lloyd Hastings

City of residence San Francisco

Nationality American

Occupation client of Blake Hopkins

Company Gould and Curry

Character traits greedy, cunning, desperate, opportunitist

Personal information and character traits

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Name Portia LanghamAge 22

Nationality English

Character traits sweet, cheerful, trustworthy

Personal information and character traits

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Word Meaning as used in the context

accustomed (11) used to

ventured (11) sailed

luscious (20) delicious

craved (22) to have a very strong desire for sth

flunkey (30) a uniformed servant/ a footman

sumptuous (30) very expensive and looking very impressive

a bet (39) a wager

to account for (48) to explain

pluck to the backbone (54) very determined

unanimously (62) agreed or shared by everyone in a group

Page 1

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Word Meaning as used in the context

rash (68) reckless

be the butt of sth (69) to be the person or thing that other people often

joke about or criticize

resent (71) to feel angryaffronts (71) a remark or an action that insults or offends

sb/sth

made my head swim (80) made dizzy

petrified (83)terrified

Page 2

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Word Meaning as used in the context

Quench the thirst of eye

(91)

eyes fixed on sth

larks (100) jokes

monster (102) the 1 million bank-note

abate (110) make sth less strong

blunder (111) a stupid or careless mistake

situation (142) position/job

crystallized (150) to become clear

verdict (150) decision made in the court

asylum (159) a hospital where people who were mentally ill

could be cared for

Page 3 and 4

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Word Meaning as used in the context

first-rate (173) excellent

diffidence (188) lack of confidence/in a reserved manner

countenance (191) facial expression

nettled (194) insulted/hurt/annoyed

perpetuated (211) endured

proprietor (212) owner of a shop

retorted (216) quick, angry reply

waistcoat (231) vest

makeshift (235) temporary use

quarters (246) room/lodging

Page 5 and 6

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Word Meaning as used in the context

humble (253) not large or special in any way

be the making of (254) make somebody a better or successful person

hand-to-mouth (257) just enough to spend what you earn

loans (258) money

pauper (259) a poor person

giddiness (267) too excited, cannot behave normally

intoxication (268) too excited, cannot think clearly

notorieties (269) infamous

metropolis (269) a large city

turned head (270) too proud, others find annoying

Page 7

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Word Meaning as used in the context

augmented (276) increased

accolade (279) praise that people admire

trifles (293) something not important or valuable

flag (299) country

unbosom (310) to confide/to be open

pretext (325) an excuse

colossal (357) huge

the run of (368) the way usually things happen

romance (372) exciting adventure

fortnight (377) two weeks

Page 7 - 9

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Word Meaning as used in the context

yield (402) give in

injudiciously (404) unwisely

drawing-room (408) a formal reception room

postscript (425) extra message (PS)

confront (451) face up to

flatterer (464) a person who pleases others by compliments

abuzz (543) full of excitement or activity

ingenuities (551) inventiveness

bolstering up (565) to improve sth or make it stronger

Page 10 - 14

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Word Meaning as used in the context

judicious (591) careful and sensible

incredible (594) unbelievable

fibbing (598) lying

unabridged (631) not shortened

sacredest (638) most important

Page 15 16

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Themes :

Symbols of success; attitudes of wealthy toward the less

fortunate; success; sarcasm/irony; power and control; richand poor; race against time; honesty and diligence; with a

little help from chance, a man "makes himself" through his

own ingenuity

Moral values:

do not be judgmental; the importance of diligence