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The World Without You


"Heart-searing, eye-tearing, and soul-touching." - The Huffington Post
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What role does money play in this novel?

Created: 12/28/12

Replies: 9

Posted Dec. 28, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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What role does money play in this novel?

What role does money play in "The World Without You"?


Posted Jan. 04, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beckyh

Join Date: 05/08/11

Posts: 113

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

Money seemed important and not important at the same time. Gretchen apparently had a lot and held it firmly over her family to get what she wanted from them. But she was also generous in giving each of the children a large sum of money with apparently no strings.
Noelle and Amram seemed to be the only ones that lacked money and yet they were able to fly to the US twice in one year while Amram was out of work. Was Gretchen supporting them???
Thisbe seemed the most realistic about money and the least impressed with Gretchen's wealth.


Posted Jan. 04, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cynthiaa

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 112

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

Gretchen's wealth - To rich people money is a tool. And they use it as a tool. Gretchen uses it as a tool to get what she wants from others. Also, rich people are never sure if others like them for themselves or for what they can get from them. Rich people never know if they are being taken advantage of our used. Rich people never no if the people in their life would still be around if they lost it all. All that glitters is not gold.


Posted Jan. 05, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

I'm with beckyh on this one. It is both important and not important. It is there in the background as a sort of fall back option but does not seem to be a big deal to most of them. With the exception of Noelle everyone seems to be doing fine and not particulary sitting around in predatory wait for Gretchen's money.


Posted Jan. 07, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jknapp

Join Date: 04/11/11

Posts: 37

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

Having money allows choices that sometimes elude those who do not have money. I think it can be a great thing used properly but look how it scared Thisbe. Leo thought his grandmother used money to manipulate. It is certainly not a focus of the novel but as a reader you get the impression that there was a freedom to make certain choices because money was not the object. Even separating and having different residences was not a financial concern. When you have money there are just ways of looking at challenges differently.


Posted Jan. 12, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Retired Reader, NE

Join Date: 09/16/11

Posts: 165

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

Gretchen's money seems to play a big role in the actions of everyone. She controls through the checkbook. My question is whether this family could afford to be so dysfunctional if they did not have Gretchen's money. Marilyn also made decisions that were probably grounded in her own financial security.


Posted Jan. 16, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pennyp

Join Date: 03/22/12

Posts: 353

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

I would agree with Retired Reader. I wonder if the money doled out by Gretchen actually aided this family's dysfunction.


Posted Jan. 17, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kateg

Join Date: 04/28/11

Posts: 29

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

Money was a large issue for several characters. Did money make Gretchen the miser that she was? She held sway over certain characters (Noelle and Amram), who were in need of her money. The other characters were much less beholden to Gretchen and were able to live within their means.


Posted Jan. 17, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisag

Join Date: 01/12/12

Posts: 298

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

Retired Reader and pennyp,

Interesting question about whether the family could have afforded to be so dysfunctional without money. I think of the word "eccentric" as being associated with money but not so much "dysfunctional." Thought-provoking, though.


Posted Jan. 22, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beckyh

Join Date: 05/08/11

Posts: 113

RE: What role does money play in this novel?

Retired reader - What an insightful statement. I agree that money can help dysfunction survive.


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