The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg

After reading "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg", I realized that this was yet another one of Twain's "short" stories that leaves the reader with a sense of self-examination and it left me wondering about society's and my ethics. Clearly this story suggests that money can make people do crazy and ridiculous things and essentially brings out the worst in people: deception, greed, and lying. The Richards seem like a honest older couple who could really use the money for themselves and are clearly tempted many times to take the money. Eventually,they do the same as the other 18 and submit a letter with the words to the mystery man. In the end, when they receive the checks they feel so guilty that they burn them and eventually their health deteriorates and they die. When I put myself in their shoes, I wonder what I would have done. I surely would have been tempted to take the money for a new car, many shoes, or a new house, but in the end I think I would take the honest road and do what is right. The mystery man played the people in town like a bunch of puppets. Money really can make people do crazy things and there is no doubt that money can change a person. I remember my freshman year I had more cash than I ever had in my life and before I knew it I had unopened CD's and boxes of new Nike sneakers in my closet. I had new sunglasses and new polo shirts. Money is a dangerous tool that can overtake a person. This is why we see so many professional athletes who end up bankrupt with nothing after their careers. One must have a strong mind to not be manipulated. Unfortunately, it would seem that most people would easily succumb to it.

Was it Heaven or Hell?

After reading "Was it Heaven or Was it Hell?" I have found myself thinking about lies and how they can be beneficiary or malicious in one way or another. I took the story as another "parable" by Twain, whom I believe thinks that lying is a natural human action but some positive things can arise from such lies. When the doctor lies about Margaret being well, I originally thought he was trying to make the situation easier and give the girl some hope. However, the doctor seems blunt to me and explains that every person lies. Based on the exercise we did in class, I guess it sort of supports that. No one in the class denied doing the exercise saying they haven't told a lie recently. There were some doozies, but it just proves that people lie every day. As my mother told me, one lie leads to another and I am certainly guilty of that. Is it right to tell a lie that can help someone? I remember growing up having a blue parakeet named Joe. I really loved that bird. However, one morning I went to uncover him as I did every day, and I saw him on the floor. My mother told me he was just taking a nap and tired of being on the stick all day. When I returned from school, (kindergarden) "Joe" was back on the stick looking younger and revitalized. I guess sometimes the truth hurts too much.