Contemporary+parallel

=== This scene works splendidly as a parallel of our modern society and its practices. Today millions of people are scammed into buying fake ebay items, such as mopeds, PS3's, microwaves and even cars. Just like the con artists of Twain's day, these fake auctions are created by conniving people who seek to profit off other people's gullibility. Also, don't forget the thousands of people who click on the pop-ups that exclaim they've won a free psp. Today there are also the many commercials that seek to trick people into wasting money on random products they don't really need. Undeniably the closest parallel to the scams of the Second Great Awakening are the numerous teleangelist preachers and other false "healers" and such, that invigorate people with their words, and smoothly talk them out of their money. It would seem that today there are more dishonorable grifters, and gullible people who believe them, than in Twain's time.===

[| Here's a funny example of televangelism in America]

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