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The characters in the first section display different aspects of the way in which the values of American society are changing from when its past the west was being settled. Louie and Rosamond are extremely wealthy because of money earned as a result of Tom’s patent and spend a good deal on expensive clothes, parties, and vacations. In addition, they are building an ostentatious new home. Spending their money in this fashion allows the couple to publicly show off their fortune, so that it is clear to people around them that they are wealthy.
For Rosamond, this significance of money goes beyond the clothes she wears, it is inherent in her personality as well. Louie, however, attempts to balance this materialism with generosity. He openly gives Tom complete credit for their fortune. The balance of materialism and generosity in Louie’s character creates a broader representation of the current values in American society. He displays that while financial standing and aesthetic appearances were becoming increasingly important, society as a whole was not entirely caught up in superficial values. The importance the couple puts on such a public display of their wealth is an example of the way in which good financial standing was developing increasing importance in American society. As the country is beginning a new stage in its development with technological and industrial advances, The Professor is beginning a new stage in his life as he progresses from middle age to the downward slope of his life. In the processes of this transition, The Professor embodies both the values of past and present American society. As the west was being settled, its inhabitants lived off the land and valued qualities necessary for them to settle there, such as integrity loyalty to one another. Values the satisfaction of a job well done that came from writing his history over the financial rewards of it.
For Rosamond, this significance of money goes beyond the clothes she wears, it is inherent in her personality as well. Louie, however, attempts to balance this materialism with generosity. He openly gives Tom complete credit for their fortune. The balance of materialism and generosity in Louie’s character creates a broader representation of the current values in American society. He displays that while financial standing and aesthetic appearances were becoming increasingly important, society as a whole was not entirely caught up in superficial values. The importance the couple puts on such a public display of their wealth is an example of the way in which good financial standing was developing increasing importance in American society. As the country is beginning a new stage in its development with technological and industrial advances, The Professor is beginning a new stage in his life as he progresses from middle age to the downward slope of his life. In the processes of this transition, The Professor embodies both the values of past and present American society. As the west was being settled, its inhabitants lived off the land and valued qualities necessary for them to settle there, such as integrity loyalty to one another. Values the satisfaction of a job well done that came from writing his history over the financial rewards of it.
