Money and Materialism

Where it surfaces

• 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.

• John H. Kirby

  The limerick focuses on financial loss and recovery, highlighting the theme of wealth and risk.

• David R. Lewis

  The limerick humorously critiques the banker's selective lending, emphasizing financial prudence and the value of money.

• C. R. McKay

  The poem contrasts the 'dandy posish' of a bank governor with a place where one needn't 'always think dollars,' highlighting the tension between financial duty and freedom from materialism.

• Amos C. Miller

  The poem emphasizes financial gain and winning, with references to betting and raking in money.

• Waller Morton

  Waller Morton's respect for the dollar highlights the theme of financial pragmatism in times of inflation.

• G. E. Muehleback

  The subject is identified as a 'Capitalist,' linking wealth to his emotional state and the city's reaction.

• Senator John F. Overfield

  The poem emphasizes Overfield's vast wealth from oil and shale, portraying a life free from labor.

• Frank L. Poth

  The poem highlights Frank L. Poth's identity as a capitalist and the invitation to spend money in the West.

• F. H. Rawson

  The verse centers on financial accountability and the tension between a client's records and a banker's statements.

• George W. Reed

  Focuses on the struggle to afford essential coal, contrasting with the apparent ease of those in power.

• Wallace N. Robinson

  The poem references giving away dollars, highlighting a casual attitude toward money.

• James F. Stepina

  The poem highlights the power of wealth to rescue a community in crisis.

• J. M. Sullivan

  The limerick contrasts Sullivan's initial lack of recognition by bankers with his eventual financial success ('roll of his own').

• Max Thorek

  The verse highlights financial inequality and the cost of entertainment versus medical expenses.

• Phil. R. Toll

  The chapter highlights material wealth and status through the listing of multiple luxury cars owned by Phil. R. Toll.

• John Wagner

  The central question is whether clean boxing pays, with the answer implied by Wagner's impoverished state.

• John N. Weinand

  Emphasizes the virtue of paying cash and avoiding speculation, contrasting sound financial practice with reckless gambling.

• Charles A. White

  The poem highlights trust in financial integrity, contrasting honesty with the temptation of theft.

• Fred H. Wickett

  The poem centers on the regret of missing a financial opportunity, highlighting the allure of wealth through oil investments.

• An Irish Love Lyric

  The opening line directly references needing money to spend, highlighting a past preoccupation with material indulgence.