The Mysterious Stranger Final Essay Question
Answer the following questions thoroughly using cited passages from the text and a complete explanation. Short answer – ½ page – 1 page. Use your answers to guide your group discussions.
1. What is nihilism? How does Twain use The Mysterious Stranger to comment on nihilism? Is the overall story nihilistic or does it demonstrate the senselessness of nihilism?
2. What is Moral Sense? How does Satan turn upside down the boys’ arguments on the need for morality? How does Twain make you think or rethink morality? Is evil a construct of limited understanding or an unfair burden on morality?
3. How does The Mysterious Stranger explore Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest? Is there a sense of survival or evolution in the novel or is there a sense of stagnancy.
4. How does Twain explore the concepts of Naturalism and/or Realism in this novella? How would you classify the story as one or the other?
5. How does Twain use parody and comedy in juxtaposition with darker images to create mood or illustrate a theme ?
6. What role does religion play in this novella? How does Twain use the story to comment on religion? What point does he make with those comments?
7. Twain uses illusion and masks. The mysterious stranger introduces himself as Satan, angel nephew of the fallen Lucifer. Should the reader believe him> What clues are available to indicate Satan’s goals/purpose? How does an understanding of Satan’s character affect the end of the novel?
8. In the end, the novel takes a philosophical and dark look at human existence. One question that Twain appears to be asking is whether there is any meaningful purpose to life or if life has no real purpose/weight. How does Twain resolve this question? What do you think of his resolution?