Rich Man, Poor Man | Themes & Symbolism

Rich Man, Poor Man Significant Topics

Action and Reaction

The theme of action and reaction in the novel of Rich Man, Poor Man is based on the idea that by every action one member of the Jordache family makes, other members of the family are affected. This idea applies to the decision Gretchen makes that leads her to be out on a country road in the middle of the afternoon when Teddy Boylan came driving by. By being out on this road and by Teddy Boylan stopping to pick her up, Gretchen affects every member of her family. This chance meeting leads Gretchen to have an affair with Teddy Boylan. This affair is discovered by Thomas, who then decides to burn a cross on Teddy's lawn in an act that, after he is caught, causes Thomas to spend the next few years in exile from the rest of the family. This action causes Thomas to get in trouble with...
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