Across books · Theme
Wealth and Power
The pursuit of wealth as a means to power and success is a central conflict, with Sir Robert Chiltern justifying his past corruption by arguing that 'the God of this century is wealth.'
Wealth and Power appears as a literary theme in 17 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 pursuit of wealth as a means to power and success is a central conflict, with Sir Robert Chiltern justifying his past corruption by arguing that 'the God of this century is wealth.'
Aurora's immense fortune as a banker's heiress shapes her life, attracting fortune hunters like James Conyers and granting her a degree of freedom, yet also making her a target for exploitation.
Money is depicted as a force that can buy beauty, influence, and social standing, but also corrupts and isolates, as Sebastian's wealth enables his artistic ventures but also attracts prejudice.
The narrative emphasizes how immense wealth, like Mr. Incoul's inherited fortune, grants social influence and control over others, enabling him to manipulate situations and people, such as his orchestrated revenge on Lenox Leigh.
Wealth grants individuals like Mr. Copperhead immense influence over social and religious circles, allowing them to override moral scruples and dominate others. The narrative critiques how money corrupts relationships and distorts values within the chapel community.
Satan assumes the form of a billionaire to play his game on Earth, but his billions are stolen by Magnus, highlighting how wealth is used as a tool for control, deception, and the corruption of human relationships.
In each book
An Ideal Husband
The pursuit of wealth as a means to power and success is a central conflict, with Sir Robert Chiltern justifying his past corruption by arguing that 'the God of this century is wealth.'
Open theme guide →
Aurora Floyd
Aurora's immense fortune as a banker's heiress shapes her life, attracting fortune hunters like James Conyers and granting her a degree of freedom, yet also making her a target for exploitation.
Open theme guide →
Giant’s Bread
Money is depicted as a force that can buy beauty, influence, and social standing, but also corrupts and isolates, as Sebastian's wealth enables his artistic ventures but also attracts prejudice.
Open theme guide →
Mr. Incoul’s Misadventure
The narrative emphasizes how immense wealth, like Mr. Incoul's inherited fortune, grants social influence and control over others, enabling him to manipulate situations and people, such as his orchestrated revenge on Len
Open theme guide →
Phoebe, Junior
Wealth grants individuals like Mr. Copperhead immense influence over social and religious circles, allowing them to override moral scruples and dominate others. The narrative critiques how money corrupts relationships an
Open theme guide →
Satan’s Diary
Satan assumes the form of a billionaire to play his game on Earth, but his billions are stolen by Magnus, highlighting how wealth is used as a tool for control, deception, and the corruption of human relationships.
Open theme guide →
The Clue of the New Pin
Jesse Trasmere's immense wealth and control over others, including Yeh Ling and Ursula, illustrate how money corrupts and creates dependencies, while the inheritance plot highlights the allure and danger of financial gai
Open theme guide →
The Clue of the Twisted Candle
Kara's immense wealth allows him to manipulate people, evade justice, and exert control over influential figures. The narrative contrasts his corrupt use of power with the relative powerlessness of those he victimizes.
Open theme guide →
The Grand Babylon Hotel
The book explores the immense influence and eccentricities of extreme wealth, as seen through Theodore Racksole's impulsive purchase of the Grand Babylon Hotel and the casual way he wields his fortune to solve problems a
Open theme guide →
The Incredulity of Father Brown
Stories repeatedly feature American millionaires, industrialists, and capitalist magnates whose immense wealth isolates them and makes them targets for murder, highlighting the corrupting and dangerous nature of concentr
Open theme guide →
The Mystery of the Blue Train
The book explores how immense wealth, embodied by Rufus Van Aldin, creates both privilege and vulnerability, driving characters' actions and motives, from the purchase of the 'Heart of Fire' rubies to the manipulation of
Open theme guide →
The Secret of Chimneys
The pursuit of oil concessions, the loan negotiations with Mr. Isaacstein, and the theft of a historic diamond underscore how financial interests and material wealth influence political decisions and personal motives.
Open theme guide →
The Third Round
The book explores how immense wealth corrupts and enables criminal behavior, with characters like Blackton and the Diamond Syndicate using money to manipulate, blackmail, and control others, while the threat of financial
Open theme guide →
The Three Just Men
The pursuit of immense riches drives the plot, with Oberzohn and Newton using money, influence, and criminal enterprises to control others, while the Three Just Men use their own wealth to fund their missions.
Open theme guide →
The Wings of the Dove
Milly's immense fortune shapes her relationships and the ambitions of those around her, particularly Aunt Maud and Kate Croy, highlighting how money influences social standing, manipulation, and personal freedom.
Open theme guide →
the_golden_bowl
The immense wealth of the Verver family shapes all relationships, enabling control, patronage, and a sense of ownership, while also creating a gilded cage that influences characters' choices and moral compromises.
Open theme guide →
the_portrait_of_a_lady
The acquisition of wealth through inheritance gives Isabel a sense of power and opportunity, but it also makes her a target for fortune-hunters like Osmond, highlighting how money can both liberate and corrupt.
Open theme guide →