I knew Mark Twain when i was a middle school student. In my memory, there is an article in my English textbook that written by him. At that time, I pay no attention to Mark Twain. However, i knew more about him after I learned the History and Anthology of American Literature, he appeals to me dearly and deeply. As a result, I read a part of his novels in part time. Here I will introduce Million Pounds to you. Before that, I will give some information about Mark Twain to you. And last, it comes my though.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910) was an American humorist, satirist, lecturer and writer, better known by the pen name Mark Twain. He was born in Florida, Missouri and brought up in Hannibal, Missouri. After his father's death in 1847, he was apPnticed to a printer and wrote for his brother's newspaper. He later worked as a licensed Mississippi river-boat pilot. The Civil War put an end to the steamboat traffic and Clemens moved to Virginia City, where he edited the Territorial Enterprise. On February 3, 1863, 'Mark Twain' was born when Clemens signed a humorous travel account with that pseudonym. He often uses exaggerated ways to show his irony.
Mark Twain is most noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He is also known for his quotations. During his life, Clemens became a friend to Psidents, artists, leading industrialists and European royalty. For I love the One Million Pounds Note best, I would introduce it to you.
Is there real free-lunch in the world? Maybe there is! And such kind of "free lunch" strikes the poor and honest young man Henry Adams who has surprisingly got a one-million bank note from the brothers (Roderick & Oliver)。 As a matter of fact, the brothers had made a bet, if a poor, honest and clever people who come knocking on the door received the one million pounds, what will be happening to his life? The elder brother think that he would starve to death because he could not prove that the money belongs to him, will be arousing others' suspicion,and even the banks do not let him deposit the money. On the contrary, the younger brother believes that he would live in a very good life. So the brothers lend the one million pounds to Henry Adams, and spent 30 days abroad. From then on, Henry Adams becomes a bright focus of the money-priority society. Later, the lucky young man experiences two sharply different treatments in the tailor shop. In the ball, people from every social class try every chance to show their friendship and flattery to the new millionaire. Adams never has the chance to spend a penny because no one can change the million and he is soon living in a luxurious hotel suite, wearing expensive suits. No one asks him to pay bill, these are forwarded for later payment. He even gets the chance to go to the Party that held by Duke. Fortunately, Henry meets Jane Griffiths and fall in love with this beautiful woman. He also comes across his good friend. The man gives him some advice to earn money. 30 days has passed, Henry Adams asks his girlfriend company him to meet the brothers. Out of his expectation, his girlfriend is the daughter of one of the brothers. And finally he got a very good job from the brother. And he lived a very happy life.
Mark Twain's short story of "one million pounds note" is a very good work. The article satires the thoughts of "money is everything," "money is omnipotent," and expose the ugly face of capitalist society. As we all know, the root of the story was the bet of the brothers. What is the bet actually? Where does the attraction of the bank note lie in?
As far as i am concerned, the One Million Pounds Note takes an interesting, satirical look at the hypocrisy stemming from class distinction in England. England is a country where class and wealth are given extreme significance, especially among the rich. The novel shows the hypocrisy that existed among these people, how the rich are quick to change face when they find out that you're a man of wealth and how within the next moment they revert back to their condescending selves when all wealth is lost. The story was based on the main theme by emphasizing on the hypocrisy of the upper class society but at the same time it also creates a balance that Pvents the novel from being a mockery of the British society. The love story appears at the right time and there is plenty of comedy to keep one entertained. The ending is a little Pdictable but the director does an overall good job by rounding it up and Psenting his points.
In my heart, Herry was so luckily, not everyone can get the chance to use the million. I am so envious of the "lucky" of the heroine, but at the same time I would like to think that the reason why people carry favor with him is just that they attract too much important to money, isn't it? Money worship is shameful and should not be reaping more! Money is not omnipotent, and in the world, there are many things that more important than money ……