Jul 11, 2023
The Story of Debt: A Look at Loans in Fiction
Loans, debt, and financial transactions aren’t just part of the real world’s fabric – they’ve woven their threads into the tapestry of fiction as well. Whether as plot devices, character motivations, or societal critiques, loans in fiction can take on a variety of roles. By examining these narratives, we can gain fresh perspectives on real-world financial dynamics and human behavior.
Loans as Catalysts: “The Merchant of Venice”
Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” is one of the most iconic examples of a loan driving the plot of a story. Antonio, a merchant, secures a loan from the moneylender Shylock to help his friend Bassanio woo a lady. The infamous ‘pound of flesh’ that Shylock demands as collateral for the loan sets the stage for the conflict and tension that permeates the play.
Loans and Power: “Game of Thrones”
In George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” series, loans are more than just financial tools; they’re means of power and manipulation. The Iron Bank of Braavos, with its wealth and willingness to fund kings or rebels alike, plays a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the Seven Kingdoms.
Loans and Exploitation: “The Grapes of Wrath”
John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” uses loans to shed light on the exploitation of vulnerable populations. The narrative highlights the plight of farmers who, burdened by loans they cannot repay, are dispossessed of their lands and driven into poverty.
Loans as Redemption: “Les Misérables”
In Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables,” a loan is a symbol of redemption and kindness. The protagonist, Jean Valjean, receives a loan from Bishop Myriel. It’s not the financial aspect of this loan that matters, but the trust and compassion it signifies, leading to Valjean’s transformation.
Loans in the Futuristic World: “The Windup Girl”
In Paolo Bacigalupi’s “The Windup Girl”, set in a future Thailand, the concept of debt is inherited, almost turning it into a genetic trait. Here, characters are born into ‘generational debt’ due to their ancestors’ unpaid loans, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of economic systems and debt structures.
Interstellar Loans: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”
In Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” loans take an interstellar form with the concept of the ‘Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster’. It’s described as having a similar effect to ‘having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon, wrapped round a large gold brick’. The outrageous bar tab that Ford Prefect runs up on Earth before its destruction is a humorous take on debt.
The Weight of Debt: “The Mill on the Floss”
George Eliot’s classic “The Mill on the Floss” weaves a tale around the Tulliver family, who fall into financial ruin when Mr. Tulliver cannot repay loans taken against the family mill. The story not only highlights the direct consequences of unpaid debt on a family’s social standing and relationships but also reflects the societal norms of the 19th-century England.
The Quest to Repay: “Journey to the West”
In this iconic Chinese novel, “Journey to the West”, Pigsy’s backstory is marked by his effort to repay a debt. Originally a celestial being, Pigsy is banished to the mortal world as a pig demon as a consequence of his actions in Heaven. Later, he joins the monk Xuanzang on his journey, viewing it as a chance to atone for his past and “repay” his spiritual debt.
The Psychological Horror of Debt: “Rosemary’s Baby”
In Ira Levin’s “Rosemary’s Baby,” debt and loans aren’t explicitly central to the plot but form an integral part of the narrative’s psychological horror. The Woodhouse couple moves into an apartment offered at a suspiciously low rent. Little do they know that they’re about to “pay” for this discount in ways that are horrifyingly unimaginable, an eerie allegory to hidden costs and dangerous fine prints of some financial deals.
Debt and Self-Discovery: “A Man in Full”
Tom Wolfe’s “A Man in Full” explores the American ethos through the lens of debt. Protagonist Charlie Croker, a real estate tycoon, grapples with massive loans on his property. His journey of navigating the financial maze, defending his self-worth, and ultimately discovering a new philosophy of life provides a critical commentary on the American Dream, capitalism, and the personal toll of indebtedness.
The Morality of Lending: “Crime and Punishment”
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” uses the character of the unscrupulous pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna to illustrate the darker aspects of lending. While she’s a minor character, her dealings, steeped in exploitation and devoid of empathy, spur the protagonist Raskolnikov into a spiral of guilt and moral questioning after he murders her, mainly to liberate himself and others from the chains of debt.
As these examples from across cultures, eras, and genres suggest, loans and debt in fiction offer fertile ground for exploring a wide array of themes. Whether it’s the societal critique in “The Grapes of Wrath,” the morality questions in “Crime and Punishment,” or the symbolic atonement in “Journey to the West,” these narratives allow us to rethink our understanding of loans beyond their financial function, contemplating their psychological, moral, and societal implications.
Fiction’s portrayal of loans is as varied as the genres and authors who use them. Whether causing conflict, reflecting societal issues, or providing comedic relief, these narratives offer unique ways to contemplate financial dynamics, economic power structures, and human behavior. By following the money, even in fictional realms, we can enrich our understanding of finance, its implications, and its potential futures.
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