Greed+Reflection

PManeykowski Wall

American greed was a huge topic this year, and the most prevalent examples that I saw this year were the Grapes of Wrath, and the de Tocqueville reading. The Grapes of Wrath had an especially big role regarding greed because the main message of the book was coming together and making the transition from I to we. This transition can not happen if some Americans choose to be greedy. The best contemporary example of greed that I could think of was Bernie Madoff and his execution of the Ponzi Scheme. This resembles the greed of Americans, because a single man is willing to take money away from thousands of people just so he can satisfy himself. Steinbeck would be very disappointed if he would see this, because Madoff is more focused in 'I' as opposed to thinking of the greater good.