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In the novel Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen demonstrates that wealth is a substance of
financial security but also of great potential damage to social relations and a contributing
factor to the clouding of one's judgement. The character Lady Catherine is a financially
independent woman who is overly invested in her social ranking for she appraises the old
ways of life and finds her nose in the affairs of others. In addition she acts quite differently
to those who threaten her class rank, especially Elizabeth. When she hears rumors of Elizabeth
and Darcy's engagement she attempts to induce Elizabeth to promise not to do so.Thus for
the love of her wealth and social rank she wishes to undertake any action to protect
it. In the children's cartoon show Spongebob Squarepants restaurant Mr.Krabs is characterized
as a money hungry owner that would go out of his way regardless of how rational something
is even risking his own well being to profit from something or get some money regardless
of the amount. In one episode Mr.Krabs gets his limbs torn from his body over a dime that
fell into a sink. There are those who are prideful of their
wealth and there are those who wish to obtain it by all means such an individual is Mr.Wickham
. Mr.Wickham appears to be a handsome honest man who lost his wealth from the "villainous"
Darcy. However he is a man of many faces. For he has attempted to elope with Darcy's
sister, Georgiana, all in efforts just to obtain his wealth rather than for true love
-some people would do just about anything for money. In F.Scott Fitzgerald's novel The
Great Gatsby, the same central idea is poked at- though born poor James Gatz goes out of
his way just to gain money to attract Daisy he does it at a illegal manner at the time
which is through bootlegging. Through his- "Gunnections"- with Wolfshime James Gatz becomes
Jay Gatsby rises to riches and ends up living in West Egg - for the sole purpose of being
closer to Daisy - his true love . It is common for those who obtain great wealth
to show great pride. For, such an individual is shown in the novel, Mr. Darcy. Mr.Darcy
is a high class gentleman who acts in a snobbish way and often appears to be quite arrogant
in manner during the beginnings of the novel. He is quite prideful which interferes with
his love for Elizabeth. As shown in the quote "My real purpose was to see you and to judge
- if I could - whether I may hope to make you love me- Page 363.
When he swallows his pride he successfully engages with Elizabeth - thus when one looks
past their wealth and pride they can truly unify with one another.
Bernard Madoff or Berny Madoff is a relatively popular figure in one of the most notorious
aspects because of his connections with money. Madoff swindled people fortunes he - made
off- with more than 50 billion dollars- through his ponzi scheme by claiming to secure their
earnings - instead he used it for himself. He was convicted of fraud and sentecned to
jail for 150 years. He will not be missed either.
Mrs.Bennet a mother of five- desperately tries to secure her daughters' future finances by
marrying them to wealthy men which ultimately would lead to her happiness fulfilled duty
as a mother of the time period, however, in an inappropriate manner during some occasions.
As a drug addict who tries to obtain money to buy substances to fulfill their needs she
sometimes acts as desperate. Which in turn shames the family as a whole.
In society gambling is looked down upon for the same reason it injured the losing party
also causing them to do the most irrational things to get their money back. Furthermore,
the loss of gain of profit clouds judgement that would otherwise be seen useful or rational.
This also connect with a drug addict in need of money to supply themselves with the drugs
they need. Money can be a form of security but at the
same time damage relationships- as well as cloud judgement. As emphasized in Jane Austen's
Pride and Prejudice. Many modern examples can solidify this notion. As Kendrick Lamar
once said in one of his songs "Money trees is a perfect place for shade and that's just
how I feel" - however that shade can possibly blind you from seeing a true reality.