A Comparison of Values in The Rich Brother by Tobias Wolff

657 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The rich brother by tobias wolff citation

In Tobias Wolff’s 1985 short story “The Rich Brother,” we are introduced to two brothers. According to Wolf, you cannot even tell that they are brothers because of their physical differences, but as the story goes into more detail we can tell that they are different in every aspect. One of the major differences is that one is wealthy and the other is always in need of financial assistance. The older brother, Pete, is a successful real estate agent while his younger brother, Donald, works as a painter whenever he can. The two brothers are very different in their belief about what is valuable. Pete is a man that has worked hard and values what he has acquired. His brother Donald, on the other hand, values sharing whatever he has. Even if giving everything he has leaves him with nothing. Pete’s values gather around not believing in any kind of God or savior. He is not a religious man in that sense. He values that his money has given him; a sense of decency. His wealth gives him a comfortable feeling. He doesn’t see the necessity to believe in religion as his brother has. His destiny is to have a nice family and to be as his parents were. Their parents “managed to be decent people without making fools of themselves, and Pete had the same ambition.” (Tobias Wolf 391) Pete’s wealth fills his needs. His possessions are valuable him, he buys a new car just because he liked and wanted it. His values don’t really go much beyond what he owns. He has a nice home where he can see a ...

Show More
Related

  • Sumner And Carnegie Explains The Gospel Of Wealth

    650 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the documents titled, William Graham Sumner on Social Darwinism and Andrew Carnegie Explains the Gospel of Wealth, Sumner and Carnegie both analyze their perspective on the idea on “social darwinism.” To begin with, both documents argue differently about wealth, poverty and their consequences. Sumner is a supporter of social darwinism. In the aspects of wealth and poverty he believes that the wealthy are those with more capital and rewards from nature, while the poor are “those who have inherited disease and depraved appetites, or have been brought up in vice and ignorance, or have themselves yielded to vice, extravagance, idleness, and imprudence” (Sumner, 36). The consequences of Sumner’s views on wealth and poverty is that they both contribute to the idea of inequality and how it is not likely for the poor to be of equal status with the wealthy. Furthermore, Carnegie views wealth and poverty as a reciprocative relation. He does not necessarily state that the wealthy and poor are equal, but he believes that the wealthy are the ones who “should use their wisdom, experiences, and wealth as stewards for the poor” (textbook, 489). Ultimately, the consequences of

    Read More

  • John Updike's A & P

    1455 Words  | 3 Pages

    In ?A & P? John Updike gives a story of a man faced with two choices for his life in a seemingly unimportant circumstance. He can stand up for himself and for his rules, as his manager encourages him to do so. But as the story goes, he remains oblivious to the forces at work, and decides to bend his will to three girls in bathing suits, or more generally, to those who have the power and nobility of wealth behind them. Sam makes the wrong choice, and subsequently, makes the rest of his life more difficult, as he admits that he must life his life under another class of people, the wealthy, as though he is less than them. By admitting that he is less than them, Sam has started to live his life not for the happiness he can obtain, but for the wealth he can obtain.

    Read More

  • Wealth And The Outsiders

    464 Words  | 1 Pages

    Researchers have proven that people with a lot of paraphernalia are normally not as cheery than less privileged people. There are many statements with a theme in these two writings. The poor man and greasers have simple needs which helps them be more joyful. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and the poem “Poverty and Wealth”, have similar themes. One of the themes in the poem and the Outsiders is, money can't buy happiness.

    Read More

  • Class Differences in Blood Brothers, by Willy Russell

    2293 Words  | 5 Pages

    does this is by telling us she has seven kids. Although she is a young

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Paul And Faul

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    When two siblings are born together, and are close in age, many people wonder whether they will be the same or different altogether. A “River Runs through it” shows two brothers who grew up in the same household, and grew up loving to do the same activity fly fishing. Both brothers were raised in a very strict presbyterian household. Norman is the older brother, and he is much more responsible and family orientated. Paul is the irresponsible younger brother; Paul as an adult was not at home much anymore. Both brothers were loved equally as children, but how they view and use love is what separates them. Paul and Norman differ in behavior and character.

    Read More

  • Peter Singer's Essay 'Affluence, And Morality'

    1343 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the paper “Famine, Affluence, and Morality”  Peter Singer defends the idea that is our moral duty to help others in need. Since there are other people in the world that are suffering and we our in a position to give, we are obligated to help create change in the world . In this paper I will explain Peter Singer’s view about how it is our moral duty to help those who are suffering in the world. Then I will present an implication of Peter Singer claim that implies how we are obligated to give upon to others that are suffering. I will then explain an argurment to provide a reason of why someone should support Peter Singer principle. Carried to a logical conclusion, Peter Singer aruement that his principle is clearly obligatory than superagory. I will consider the two actions that Peter Singer gives to distinguish duty versues chariy and argue that his principle should e consider a superagoty action. Since his

    Read More

  • The Problem With Money Explored in The Great Gatsby

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author implies that wealth plays a much lesser role in the decisions of individuals who earned their wealth. He demonstrates this through Jay Gatsby’s thoughts about his newfound wealth and Tom Buchanan’s beliefs about his old, generational wealth.

    Read More

  • The Great Gatsby and Today

    1573 Words  | 4 Pages

    Society today is split in many different ways: the smart and the dumb, the pretty and the ugly, the popular and the awkward, and of course the rich and the poor. This key difference has led to many areas of conflict among the population. The rich and the poor often have different views on issues, and have different problems within their lives. Moral decay and materialism are two issues prevalent among the wealthy, while things such as socio-economic class conflict and the American dream may be more important to those without money. Ethics and responsibilities are an area of thought for both classes, with noblesse oblige leaning more towards the wealthy.

    Read More

  • What Is The Theme Of A Raisin In The Sun

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    This story shows how a family stuck together in hard times with faith and hard work that they would get through it. Sometimes people may have the same opportunities, but it is very likely all will have different outcomes. The risky nature of Walter may have put the family in a bind with his investment falling through, but what they did still have was each other. At least now, Walter especially, has the opportunity to learn from his

    Read More

  • The Role of Money in Society Depicted in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most would say that money does not define who we are. However, socially we are conditioned to think that a person of good character has money and can manage wealth. In Stevenson’s day, even more so than today, a person of wealth is assumed to be of good character. who knew you;

    Read More

  • Walter Lee and Manhood in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

    744 Words  | 2 Pages

    From dreams deferred to identity affirmed Lorraine Hansberry’s, “A Raisin in the Sun,” presents readers with many differing themes. The most prevalent and reoccurring theme is the effect money plays on society’s views of manhood and happiness. Readers are shown multiple characters with a diverse view on manhood. From Walter Lee with his matching societal views that a man should be able to provide whatever his family needs or wants to Lena whose views are a biased compilation of her late husband’s behavior and her own ideals, that a man should maintain his honor and protect his children’s dreams.

    Read More

  • Wealth and Happiness in Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen

    1663 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the novel Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen, the Dashwood family is left with much less money after their father dies. When their cousin takes them in, they move to a new home and start their new life. In this time period money and social rank were the most important things. For most marriage has nothing to do with love, it is about gaining property, money or rank. This is why Elinor and Marianne’s, two of the Dashwood sisters, answers to the question: “what have wealth or grandeur to do with happiness?” (122) are so important. Elinor, the eldest Dashwood sister has all the characteristics of sense and responds, “grandeur has but little . . . but wealth has much to do with it” (122). She is implying that to be happy in life one must have money. Marianne seems to be the opposite of Elinor and embodies sensibility; she disagrees and claims that money “gives no real satisfaction” (122). This theme is seen throughout the novels with many characters specifically with the characters of the two Dashwood sisters, Edward, Mr. Willoughby and Colonel Brandon. These ideas influence the characters’ decisions and have many consequences.

    Read More

  • The Rich Brother by Tobias Wolff

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    The short story, "The Rich Brother," by Tobias Wolff represents the same concept that everyday people all over the world encounter. This portrays how having siblings can be an enormous part of a persons life. The rivalry between siblings is often very competitive, but at the same time similar to magnets. When they are not connected it may seem they are independent and whole, but when examined closely it is obvious they are really relying on each other to function properly. Although Pete and Donald's life are separate and completely different, they are in fact very dependent on each other.

    Read More

  • Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

    1451 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...heir obsession with materials and wealth. However, though each class tries to rise higher than those below, the fact is that each class is crucial in the survival of the others.

    Read More

  • Poor Are Better Than Rich

    369 Words  | 1 Pages

    wanting to give more than what they have. moral character of the rich and the poor and

    Read More

More about A Comparison of Values in The Rich Brother by Tobias Wolff

Open Document