# Money and Materialism in Father Goriot

> Theme guide for Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac.

Money is the central driving force in relationships, as seen in Goriot's financial ruin for his daughters, the dowry-driven marriages, and the calculation behind every social interaction in the novel.

## Where it surfaces

- [Father Goriot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_goriot_se/chapters/father-goriot): The chapter emphasizes how money drives relationships and social standing, as seen in Goriot's sacrifice and Rastignac's family's financial strain.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_goriot_se/themes/money_and_materialism
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_goriot_se/themes