1. The conclusion of "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg" unfolds almost exactly as the stranger intended. Rewrite the ending so that the town is somehow spared from disgrace. Which conclusion do you believe is more plausible? Explain why.

2. Twain frequently creates intriguing characters like Jack Halliday to enliven the plot and provide context to the setting. Develop a new character that would seamlessly fit into the story. Use a mix of action, dialogue, and description to write a new segment of the story, incorporating your new character into the narrative.

3. Hadleyburg is not alone in the practice of changing its name. Research the names of two real villages, towns, or cities that have undergone name changes. Write a report detailing the events leading up to the name change and the reasons behind the selection of new names for these communities.

4. Mark Twain is not the only author to critique society. Historically, writers have felt a duty to examine human behavior and highlight societal flaws. Write a report on contemporary poets, novelists, or short story writers known for their political stances and social satire. Include brief summaries of their most satirical works, explaining their preferred issues and the nature of their social criticism.

5. Write a report comparing the town of Hadleyburg to a school or business with which you have personal experience. Draw parallels between the characters in the story and the issues they face, such as arrogance, power, and greed.

6. The citizens of Hadleyburg justified their dishonest decision to claim the stranger's sack of gold in various ways. They crafted arguments and convinced themselves that their actions were not immoral. One argument was that no one would be harmed by their actions. Is this true? What other arguments did they use to justify their deceit? Is there evidence of them behaving this way in the past?

7. The stranger's scheme revolves around a fictional gambler who uses the twenty dollars given to him in Hadleyburg to win more money and become wealthy. Why is this ironically fitting? What does this suggest about the social status of gamblers in the late nineteenth century? What type of gambling would he likely have engaged in? How has the perception and acceptance of gambling changed over the past hundred years?

8. Having a motto is not unique to Hadleyburg. Mottoes are ubiquitous—found on money, emblems, in churches, and above doorways. Your school, town, state, or even country likely has a motto. What are these mottoes? What do they reveal about the people who adopt them? Who creates mottoes? What is their purpose? Create a family motto that you believe reflects both you and your family.