# Wealth and Power in Aurora Floyd

> Theme guide for Aurora Floyd by M. E. Braddon.

Aurora's immense fortune as a banker's heiress shapes her life, attracting fortune hunters like James Conyers and granting her a degree of freedom, yet also making her a target for exploitation.

## Where it surfaces

- [How a Rich Banker Married an Actress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/i-how-a-rich-banker-married-an-actress): Archibald Floyd's immense wealth from the banking house allows him to marry whom he chooses, but also makes him a target for social criticism and envy.
- [Aurora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/ii-aurora): Archibald Floyd's immense wealth allows him to indulge Aurora's every whim and send her to an exclusive Parisian school, but also isolates her from ordinary life.
- [Aurora's Strange Pensioner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/vii-aurora-s-strange-pensioner): Aurora uses her money to control Harrison and protect her family, demonstrating how wealth can be wielded to manage secrets.
- [XII: Steeve Hargraves, the “Softy”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xii-steeve-hargraves-the-softy): John Mellish's extravagant spending on Aurora and the contrast between the wealthy Mellish Park and the dependent status of Mrs. Powell highlight themes of wealth and social power.
- [The Spring Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xiii-the-spring-meeting): The racing world and the Mellish estate reflect the wealth and social status of the characters, with the bay filly symbolizing their ambitions.
- [Mr. Pastern's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xv-mr-pastern-s-letter): Aurora's position as mistress of Mellish Park allows her to engage in charitable works, but her wealth cannot protect her from the past.
- [The Trainer's Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xvii-the-trainer-s-messenger): Conyers manipulates his position at Mellish Park, exploiting the wealth of the Mellish family while resenting their fortune.
- [Money Matters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xix-money-matters): Archibald Floyd's ability to quickly provide a large sum of money underscores the power and influence of wealth in resolving personal crises.
- [He Only Said, I Am A-Weary.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxi-he-only-said-i-am-a-weary): Steeve's obsession with 'the brass' (money) and his suspicion that Aurora went to fetch a large sum reflect the power dynamics and corruption associated with wealth.
- [On the Threshold of Darker Miseries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxiii-on-the-threshold-of-darker-miseries): Aurora's wealth and social standing are contrasted with Mrs. Lofthouse's pedigree, highlighting class tensions.
- [Off the Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxviii-off-the-scent): The pursuit of banknotes and the promise of rewards from John Mellish highlight the influence of wealth in driving the investigation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/themes/wealth_and_power
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/themes