The Book of Wonder · Question
How does The Book of Wonder develop the theme of Ambition and Greed?
Answer
The Book of Wonder by Lord Dunsany develops Ambition and Greed across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Characters like Thangobrind the jeweller and Alderic the knight are driven by avarice or lust for treasure, often leading to ironic or tragic outcomes, highlighting the vanity and peril of unchecked desire.
Thangobrind's quest is driven by the Merchant Prince's greed and his own professional ambition, ultimately leading to his downfall.
The nomads' desire for new songs drives them to risk the deadly quest for the golden box, and the thieves' greed for the priceless poems leads them into mortal danger.
Shard's ambition to sack Bombasharna and capture the Queen, driven by greed for loot and a desire for a settled life.
Evidence in the book
- Distressing Tale of Thangobrind the Jeweller
Thangobrind's quest is driven by the Merchant Prince's greed and his own professional ambition, ultimately leading to his downfall.
- Probable Adventure of the Three Literary Men
The nomads' desire for new songs drives them to risk the deadly quest for the golden box, and the thieves' greed for the priceless poems leads them into mortal danger.
- The Loot of Bombasharna
Shard's ambition to sack Bombasharna and capture the Queen, driven by greed for loot and a desire for a settled life.
- The Hoard of the Gibbelins
Alderic's quest is driven purely by avarice, and the Gibbelins rely on human greed to keep their larders full.
- How Nuth Would Have Practised His Art Upon the Gnoles
Nuth's greed drives him to plan the impossible burglary of the gnoles' emeralds, despite the mortal danger.
- The Coronation of Mr. Thomas Shap
Shap's desire to conquer more and more cities in his imagination mirrors the insatiable greed of real-world rulers.
