Final answer:
Mark Twain's "The £1,000,000 Bank-Note" satirizes the profound social impact of wealth perception during the Gilded Age, poking fun at the superficial judgments of society and the corrupt financial system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mark Twain uses "The £1,000,000 Bank-Note" to offer social commentary on the disparities and absurdities of wealth distribution and the social ladder in American society. The story highlights how a person's value is often judged based on their financial status rather than their character or abilities. The protagonist, given a large banknote he cannot easily spend, finds his fortune changing overnight, illustrating the superficial nature of society's judgment.
Twain's satire extends to the financial system itself, highlighting the ridiculous extremes to which the perception of wealth can influence people’s actions and societal position. This reflects Twain's broader commentary on the Gilded Age, a time he perceived to be defined by corrupt politics, a lust for power, and social stratification driven by newfound wealth among Americans. His work underscores the irony and the moral dilemmas of a society that values the symbol of wealth over its substantive utility or the integrity of its acquisition.