Across books · Theme
Greed and Materialism
The lust for wealth—whether from furs, gold, or land—is a central driver of the narrative, corrupting individuals and nations alike and leading to exploitation, betrayal, and environmental devastation.
Greed and Materialism appears as a literary theme in 16 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.
The lust for wealth—whether from furs, gold, or land—is a central driver of the narrative, corrupting individuals and nations alike and leading to exploitation, betrayal, and environmental devastation.
Greed drives many characters: Hélène Vauquier's hatred stems from lost gifts and commissions, the murderers target Mme. Dauvray's wealth, and Celia's expensive wardrobe highlights the material temptations that shape relationships and crimes.
Chichikov's relentless pursuit of wealth through the purchase of dead souls exposes the commodification of human life and the obsession with property and status, as landowners like Plushkin hoard possessions while neglecting their estates.
Quatermain's primary motivation for joining the expedition is the promise of Wambe's ivory stockade, and his internal conflict between profit and altruism reflects the theme of greed as a driving force in colonial encounters.
The plot is driven by financial motives, including the desire to profit from a valuable pistol collection, stock manipulation through rumors, and the pursuit of money over ethical considerations.
Characters are driven by desire for metal, money, or valuable objects, as seen with the Palladians' obsession with silver and copper, and Mooney's schemes to exploit the future for personal gain.
In each book
A Cycle of the West
The lust for wealth—whether from furs, gold, or land—is a central driver of the narrative, corrupting individuals and nations alike and leading to exploitation, betrayal, and environmental devastation.
Open theme guide →
At the Villa Rose
Greed drives many characters: Hélène Vauquier's hatred stems from lost gifts and commissions, the murderers target Mme. Dauvray's wealth, and Celia's expensive wardrobe highlights the material temptations that shape rela
Open theme guide →
Dead Souls
Chichikov's relentless pursuit of wealth through the purchase of dead souls exposes the commodification of human life and the obsession with property and status, as landowners like Plushkin hoard possessions while neglec
Open theme guide →
Maiwa’s Revenge
Quatermain's primary motivation for joining the expedition is the promise of Wambe's ivory stockade, and his internal conflict between profit and altruism reflects the theme of greed as a driving force in colonial encoun
Open theme guide →
Murder in the Gunroom
The plot is driven by financial motives, including the desire to profit from a valuable pistol collection, stock manipulation through rumors, and the pursuit of money over ethical considerations.
Open theme guide →
Short Fiction
Characters are driven by desire for metal, money, or valuable objects, as seen with the Palladians' obsession with silver and copper, and Mooney's schemes to exploit the future for personal gain.
Open theme guide →
The Alchemist
The play satirizes the insatiable desire for wealth and status, as characters like Sir Epicure Mammon are driven by fantasies of limitless gold and luxury, while the con artists exploit this greed for their own gain.
Open theme guide →
The Borough Treasurer
Characters are motivated by money and wealth: the partners' original crime was for financial gain, Kitely and Stoner seek to profit through blackmail, and the reward offered for information underscores the power of money
Open theme guide →
The Charing Cross Mystery
The desire for wealth—whether through Hannaford's secret ink formula, the diamond necklace, or the blackmail money—drives the criminal schemes and reveals the corrupting influence of material gain.
Open theme guide →
The Haunted Hotel
The transformation of the old palace into a luxury hotel, the insurance payout, and characters' financial motivations highlight how greed and material concerns drive actions and corrupt relationships.
Open theme guide →
The Inspector General
Khlestakov's constant borrowing of money, the officials' eager offers of cash, and the Governor's dreams of generalship and fine living all underscore a society obsessed with wealth and material gain.
Open theme guide →
The Merchant of Venice
Financial transactions and possessions are central, from Shylock's obsession with his ducats and daughter's theft to Bassanio's pursuit of Portia's wealth, showing how money corrupts relationships and motivates revenge.
Open theme guide →
The Mind of Mr. J. G. Reeder
Many characters are driven by the desire for money, jewels, or hidden treasure, leading to elaborate cons, thefts, and betrayals, as seen in the pursuit of the Emeralds of Suliman and various investment scams.
Open theme guide →
The Mystery of the Blue Train
Greed motivates the theft of the 'Heart of Fire' rubies and drives characters such as the Marquis and the Comte de la Roche, while Katherine's inheritance attracts fortune hunters like Derek and Lady Tamplin, highlightin
Open theme guide →
The Purple Cloud
The intense public obsession with reaching the North Pole is fueled by a vast monetary prize from Charles P. Stickney's will, critiquing how greed corrupts noble exploration and distorts human values.
Open theme guide →
The Starvel Hollow Tragedy
The miserly hoarding of wealth by Simon Averill, the theft of the bank notes, and the financial motivations behind the murders highlight how greed drives the central tragedy and corrupts human relationships.
Open theme guide →