The Million Pound Bank Note is a satirical short story written by Mark Twain. The story is set in Victorian London; it follows a penniless American man, Henry Adams, who becomes a subject of a bet and experiment between two eccentric, wealthy brothers. It completely changes the man’s life and how he is viewed by people around him.
Henry, a 27-year-old clerk from San Francisco, is interested in sailing. On a weekend sailing trip, he ends up being swept out into the ocean and rescued by a British boat bound for London. He is alone and penniless in London in tattered clothing. When he is wandering and looking at a pear in a gutter because he is starving, Henry is called into a mansion by two wealthy brothers, Roderick and Oliver Montepleier. They have a bet going on between themselves about a million-pound note, whether the man will survive and thrive on credit or be starved because no one changes the note.
Henry is unaware of all this. He opens the sealed envelope handed to him by the brothers later, as instructed; he is shocked when he sees the note. There is a note within the envelope that says if he returns the note unspent, he can have any job he wants. Reluctant to accept the gift, Henry tries to return it immediately, but the brothers have left for a trip. Henry slowly starts getting free credit for food and housing when people see the note. He is offered the finest things on credit and becomes a kind of celebrity.
The person Henry was before and after the million pound note is not different. He is still honest, hardworking, and smart. The theme of superficiality of wealth and society perception is woven throughout. Henry’s qualities remain the same, but his treatment changes based on his clothes and the note he carries. Now, he is welcomed in the elite society and treated like a god amongst society, which shows how shallow we as a society are. I feel there is a critique of capitalism subtly intertwined in the story from the start.
The banknote has no practical value because no one can change it, so it is merely a symbol. The whole story of Henry becoming successful is driven by people believing in the credit and illusion of his wealth rather than his actual assets. Henry is a smart and hard-working individual; no doubt, he makes a good plan for himself to ensure he will be financially secure for the foreseeable future with the help of this note. But this wouldn’t work if people didn’t have an illusion regarding his wealth when they see the note he has with him.
The Million Pound Bank Note by Mark Twain is a fun and enjoyable short story. Its satirical and witty nature made it extremely engaging from the start. I loved the critique of social structures and societal beliefs in general in a humorous way, especially on Victorian values. I really loved reading it.
*Click on the book cover above to get a copy.
Books and blues 