# Wealth and Corruption in The Little Nugget

> Theme guide for The Little Nugget by P. G. Wodehouse.

Elmer Ford's immense wealth corrupts his family, turning his son Ogden into a spoiled, cynical child and attracting a host of unscrupulous characters who view the boy as a commodity.

## Where it surfaces

- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i): Mrs. Ford's wealth enables the kidnapping scheme and the payment of Cynthia's debts, while Ogden's spoiled nature reflects the corrupting influence of money.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii): Cynthia's mercenary approach to marriage and the use of bribery highlight the corrupting influence of wealth.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iii): Peter pays a premium to offset the financial harm of kidnapping Ogden, illustrating how money is used to assuage moral qualms.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii): Ogden's wealth and indulgent upbringing have made him unruly and corrupt; his father is described as a 'typical American merchant prince.'
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iv): Ogden Ford's immense wealth makes him a target for kidnapping schemes, illustrating how wealth corrupts and attracts criminal elements.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/vi): Ogden Ford's wealth and the schemes surrounding him illustrate how money corrupts relationships and motives.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i): The kidnapping scheme is motivated by the Ford family's wealth, and the characters' actions are driven by greed.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ix): The kidnapping plot is driven by the immense wealth of Ogden Ford's family, highlighting how money corrupts and motivates criminal behavior.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii): The kidnapping plot centers on Ogden Ford's value as the son of a millionaire, illustrating how wealth attracts criminal schemes.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii): The negotiation revolves around buying out Peter's claim to the Little Nugget, with Sam and Buck using financial leverage and threats.
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/xvii): The Fords' wealth enables their manipulative negotiations, and Sam's proposal exploits their financial power for personal gain.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/themes/wealth_and_corruption
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/themes