The most prominent theme in the "The £1,000,000 Bank-Note" is the power of money. When the protagonist, Henry Adams, produces a million-pound note at the "cheap-eating house" and later at the tailor shop, the owners of both of these establishments think he is a wealthy man even though he is dressed in rags. They agree to let Adams pay at a later time, providing him with credit at their stores. Throughout the story, the protagonist receives special treatment and the attention of all classes of people in London without spending any money, simply because of his million-pound note; he is looked upon as a reliable and trustworthy gentleman. Several businessmen even buy stocks in a gold mine based solely on his recommendation.
Another key theme of the story is the protagonist’s transformation from rags to riches. Initially, the protagonist is wandering the streets as a penniless man who is hungry and homeless in a foreign land. However, after receiving the million-pound bank note from the two rich gentlemen, his life turns around and he quickly climbs the ladder of social hierarchy. He procures all the rich comforts and luxuries without actually spending any money and gains popularity among the upper class. He is even able to make some profit based on his reputation alone. After returning the million-pound note to its owners, Henry Adams is left with enough money to live in comfort for the rest of his life. And by the end of the story, he marries the daughter of one of the rich gentlemen who gave him the note.
It is a challenge that the main character must face in order to progress through a usually conflicting story to restore order to their world or to grow as a person.
