Poetry · Question
How does Poetry develop the theme of Money and Materialism?
Answer
Poetry by Ring Lardner develops Money and Materialism across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The tension between spending and saving, the value of a dollar, and the material concerns of daily life are recurring themes, exemplified by the poem 'Goodbye Bill' and the many limericks about business.
The central theme of the soliloquy: the speaker's fear of losing money ('dough') and material goods ('togs') overrides his desire to protest injustice, illustrating how financial concerns can suppress personal integrity.
The poem critiques the greed of players and magnates, suggesting that financial motives corrupt the purity of the sport.
The dollar bill is central to the poem, representing the tension between personal desire and family obligation.
Evidence in the book
- Heine's Soliloquy
The central theme of the soliloquy: the speaker's fear of losing money ('dough') and material goods ('togs') overrides his desire to protest injustice, illustrating how financial concerns can suppress personal integrity.
- Baseball—A Sport
The poem critiques the greed of players and magnates, suggesting that financial motives corrupt the purity of the sport.
- Goodbye Bill
The dollar bill is central to the poem, representing the tension between personal desire and family obligation.
- His Imagination
The father notes that imagination requires no money, unlike adult pursuits tied to salary and material goods.
- The Eternal Greeting
The child's repeated demand for presents underscores the role of material gifts in expressing love and securing joy.
- F. Y. Coffin
The verse implies that financial protection (insurance) can mitigate the impact of death, reflecting a materialistic view of life's ultimate concerns.
- Frederick D. Countiss
The limerick contrasts wealth ('jack') with charitable giving, highlighting a tension between financial prudence and generosity.
- Thos. Cusack
The line 'If you can afford to pay for your board' ties belief in signs to financial means.
