Mark Twain, "The $30,000 Bequest"

            Illustrating the fleeting nature of money and the grappling behaviors of social ladder climbers, Mark Twain comments on an inherent aspect of human nature. Regardless of our social position, the integrity of our morals, or self-claimed happiness, we—as humans—are all susceptible to corruption. Despite the greatest of intentions, we will inevitably succumb to temptation.

            Tilbury Foster, the distant relation who bequeaths his “wealth” to Sally and Aleck Foster, is the single character who has a consciousness of the danger of money and riches. Although one could argue that he is merely the clever antagonist who instigates evil, Tilbury acknowledges the ultimate human weakness to corruption. Such corruption he sets forward, for the ultimate benefit of his victims, in the “malignant work” (2) of great sums of money.

            Although this money is eventually discovered to be imaginary, its effects on the recipients soon become very real. There is a rapid decay of familial connection, as the parents shift to being “silent, distraught, and strangely unentertaining” (3). Slowly their children leave the centrality of their lives as money claims their attentions. Within a day of learning the news of their inheritance, the parents begin to neglect their daughters, for “the children had been gone an hour before their absence was noticed” (3).

            Their enthusiasm and zeal for social mobility spurs a disregard for reality. Caught in the “delirium of bliss” (7) accompanying dreaming of wealth, they one night absently forget to put out the candle burning in the parlor, excusing the overlook because they could afford to let it burn.

            In addition, the preoccupation with financial abundance paralleled to moral disintegration. Their anxiety to possess the bequeathed money incites an improper anticipation of Tilbury’s death. Swept up into a delirium, intoxicated with the possibilities of their wealth, they lose their religion, they “fell—and broke the Sabbath” (14). Later, Aleck yields to dishonesty and keeping secrets from her husband: “She was breaking the compact and concealing it from him” (18).

            As we follow the natural collapse of the Fosters’ simplistic life into one of anger, greed, and immorality, Twain draws a connection to a broader theme. Before learning of the potential inheritance, Aleck and Sally were hard-working, amiable people; however, the prospect of wealth essentially ruined their sense of self and appreciation for comfortable survival. Therefore, Twain does not distinguish between the selfish and the morally-sound; all humans, regardless of religion, conscience, or contentment, are susceptible to temptation and the degenerative nature of corruption.