Ms. White
April 21, y
The Gilded Cage
Rags to riches is a cliche often brought up in stories of triumph. In Money and Class in America:The Gilded Cage, it is portrayed that there is a possible reversal, resulting in riches to rags. The author offers a birds eye view of the wealthy American people, while commenting on the imperfections of their lifestyle. The author, a Yale graduate, explains his encounter with a man with a pseudonym of George Armory. Privilege was prominent in both the author and Armory’s families. Inheritance is he key factor in both stories of wealth.
The Author, a knowingly wealthy man, was simply more mindful than his wealthy counterparts. His grandfather became the mayor of San Fransisco and previously …show more content…
The affluent had two jobs, one being their actual money making profession (if it is not inheritance), and maintaining the image. Image often says more about a person’s standing in society than the true effect they have. George Armory’s expenses were blatantly laid out. If one is born with the right name, this kind of wealth is breed into him. The author explains the schooling, “nurtured social rather than intellectual pretensions” ( Latham 13). There is an existing expectation that even though they are better off than most americans, yet they still must compete within their own socioeconomic status. George explains this when he expresses disbelief that, “he allocated nothing for luxury or pleasure, no money for dinner parties, for paintings, for furniture, for a mistress, for psychiatrists, even for a week in Europe” (Latham 12). Living in luxury was not only an expectation, but a requirement to be respected in the wealthy community. Because he was overly occupied maintaining a high profile, he was unable to attain stability within himself. If the same money were given to a born middle class family, who could spend wisely, they would survive comfortably. The rich are sectioned off by who is better of, of the better off. This pressure outweighs any benefit money can