The Wealth of Nations · Character

Silver

Precious metal personified in value discussions.

minor

Also known as Silver, its, Its, it

First appearance: v of the real and nominal price of commodities or of their price in labour and their price in money

Silver's tie to The Chinese is one of the pressures that moves The Wealth of Nations—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Silver's value is the central focus, with its real value declining due to the influx from American mines.

In the storySecond PeriodOpen this moment free

See Silver in Second Period Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With The Chinese (professional): Silver interacts frequently with the Chinese in trade and economic exchanges, reflecting a transactional relationship. With Those Officers (professional): Silver has numerous interactions with those officers, likely in the context of commerce and governance. With The Teacher (professional): Silver and the teacher have a professional connection, possibly in economic theory or instruction.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Silver sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Silver in v of the real and nominal price of commodities or of their price in labour and their price in money

Character Web

63 connections

A slice of how Silver sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Ancient authorities and examples
Labor and wage dynamics
Protagonist
English monarchs and economic policy

+58 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Smi…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

The Chinese
professional · ambivalent
Silver interacts frequently with the Chinese in trade and economic exchanges, reflecting… How this plays out →
Those Officers
professional · ambivalent
The Teacher
professional · positive
The Master
professional · ambivalent
Charles II
professional · ambivalent
The Proprietors
professional · ambivalent
Menial Servants
professional · ambivalent
Officers
professional · ambivalent
Menial Servants
professional · ambivalent

The Chinese
Silver interacts frequently with the Chinese in trade and economic exchanges, reflecting a transactional relationship.
Those Officers
Silver has numerous interactions with those officers, likely in the context of commerce and governance.
The Teacher
Silver and the teacher have a professional connection, possibly in economic theory or instruction.
The Master
Silver and the master interact in a professional capacity, possibly in commerce or management.
Charles II
Charles II and Silver have interactions related to royal economic policies or trade.
The Proprietors
Silver and the proprietors engage in economic transactions and property-related dealings.
Menial Servants
Menial servants and Silver have a professional relationship, likely involving service or labor.
Officers
Officers and Silver interact in official or administrative capacities.
Menial Servants
Menial servants and Silver have a professional relationship, likely involving service or labor.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Silver in v of the real and nominal price of commodities or of their price in labour and their price in money

In the story

Silver appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Second Period
Silver's value is the central focus, with its real value declining due to the influx from American mines.
Variations in the Proportion Between the Respective Values of Gold and Silver
Discussed as a cheap commodity relative to gold, with its value affected by taxes and mining costs.
First Sort
Analyzed for its real value in ancient Rome compared to present Europe, and its role in pricing rare commodities.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Silver unlock in the free preview.

See Silver in v of the real and nominal price of commodities or of their price in labour and their price in money

See Silver in Second Period