Publisher's Synopsis
Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (American Studies), course: Mark Twain, language: English, abstract: "Hadleyburg was the most honest and upright town in all the region and around about [...]." Based on these sentences it is obvious to see where the citizen's priorities are set within their community and what is most important to them: honesty. Nevertheless, the title of Mark Twain's Short Story "The Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg" already indicates that this honesty might just be feigned. Because Hadleyburg "was sufficient unto itself, and cared not a rap for strangers [...]" (420) they one day fell in disgrace to a man, who was accordingly bitter and revengeful (420). Upon his return to Hadleyburg he pursues his plan of corrupting the town and taking revenge on its citizens. He hands over a sack containing forty thousand dollars to Edward and Mary Richards and expects of them to find the person who once helped him, by giving him a special remark, and who is the person that should actually receive the money. Both Edward and Mary see the opportunity to end their poor and hardworking lives and a chance to improve their lifestyle. As Mr. Richards so depletedly tells his wife after returning from his trip "it is dreadful to be poor, and have to make these dismal journeys at my time of life."(p. 423). Even though the citizens try to teach honesty to their children and maintain their well-known reputation, the short story shows "that the best-laid plans of men [...] may wreak unintended havoc and despair" (Quirk 233) because the Richardses' become victims of the temptation possessing the money and so do all other nineteen incorruptible citizens of Hadleyburg. There often is a thin line between appearance and reality and it is the people's own choice to decide on what is more important for them to be perceived by what they pretend to be or really are. Their true character is being r
