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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