* Satire of Small-Town Morality: Hadleyburg prides itself on its impeccable reputation for honesty and integrity. Twain uses irony to expose the hollowness of this self-proclaimed virtue. The town's supposed moral superiority is instantly shattered when faced with the temptation of the anonymous gift, revealing a deep-seated avarice lurking beneath the surface of pious respectability. The townspeople's immediate assumption of their own innocence and their rush to condemn others showcase their hypocrisy.
* Satire of Human Greed and Self-Interest: The entire premise of the story hinges on the corrupting influence of money. The supposedly virtuous citizens, driven by greed, become dishonest, deceitful, and even willing to betray each other in their desperate pursuit of the reward. Twain highlights the hypocrisy of individuals who preach morality but readily abandon it when personal gain is involved. Their frantic scramble for the money reveals the fragility of their moral fiber.
* Satire of Social Status and Reputation: The townspeople's obsession with maintaining their reputation as honest and upright citizens underscores the importance of social standing in their lives. Their actions are driven not just by greed but also by a desire to preserve their social image. This highlights the superficiality of their morality, and how easily it can be compromised for the sake of appearances. The story implicitly satirizes the societal pressure to conform to specific moral standards even if those standards are not genuinely held.
* Satire of Justice and Judgment: The town's self-righteous judgment of the "guilty" individuals is deeply ironic, given their own culpability. Their eagerness to condemn others without examining their own actions displays a profound lack of self-awareness and a flawed sense of justice. Twain uses this to critique the human tendency toward hypocrisy and self-deception in moral judgment.
* Satire of the Power of Suggestion: The anonymous letter's manipulative power underscores the ease with which even seemingly upright individuals can be swayed by suggestion and fueled by their own desires. The carefully planted seeds of doubt and suspicion effectively unravel the town's self-image, revealing its inherent vulnerability to temptation and manipulation.
In essence, Twain's satire in "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg" is a biting critique of human nature, exposing the hypocrisy and moral compromises that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly virtuous communities. He uses irony, exaggeration, and a cynical portrayal of human behavior to achieve a powerful and thought-provoking satirical effect.