The Good Rich Man by G.K. Chesterton
The Good Rich Man is a short story by G.K. Chesterton that explores the theme of wealth and morality. The protagonist, a wealthy man named John Smith, is confronted with the question of whether or not he has been a good person despite his wealth. Throughout the story, Smith reflects on his life and realizes that while he may have been financially successful, he has neglected his moral obligations to others. In the end, Smith decides to use his wealth for good by helping those in need.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1905 · Genre: Satire, Poetry, Social Commentary · 442 words
First lines
Mr. Mandragon, the Millionaire, he wouldn't have wine or wife, / He couldn't endure complexity: he lived the Simple Life. / He ordered his lunch by megaphone in manly, simple tones, / And used all his motors for canvassing voters, and twenty telephones; / Besides a dandy little machine, / Cunning and neat as ever was seen, / With a hundred pulleys and cranks between, / Made of metal and kept quite clean, / To hoist him out of his healthful bed on every day of his life, / And wash him and dress him and shave him and brush him / -- to live the Simple Life.
What this Textopian page supports
The Good Rich Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Poetry, Social Commentary, Humor, Fable
- Length: 442 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for The Good Rich Man by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- God And Mammon by Charles Kingsley
- Charity by George Bernard Shaw
- On A Miser Who Had Built A Stately Mansion by George Borrow
- The Worship Of The Wealthy by G. K. Chesterton
- A Ballade Of An Anti Puritan by G. K. Chesterton
- The Modern Scrooge by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique the concept of the 'Simple Life' as lived by a millionaire, highlighting the absurdity and contradictions in his lifestyle.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, using rhyme and meter to convey its narrative and themes.
- Social Commentary — The narrative provides a critique of societal norms and the superficiality of wealth and refinement, particularly in the context of American culture.
- Humor — The text uses comedic elements to entertain while delivering its critique, evident in the exaggerated depiction of Mr. Mandragon's lifestyle.
Tags
wealth · morality · philosophy · social justice · Christianity · altruism · greed · human nature · ethics · class struggle · redemption · compassion