Class Tensions

Throughout the novel, there are constant reminders of class tensions and different stratospheres of American society. For instance, John Corey is a New York cop who appears to come from a solid middle class family, and his life, with his Manhattan apartment that he shares with his wife Kate, starkly contrasts with the lives of the wealthy Winslows and Bud Mitchell. This difference is the most apparent when John goes to the Winslows' posh neighborhood on Long Island. John notes the beautiful house that the Winslows live in, as well as their belongings, which show that they probably come from "old money." John gets a small thrill from driving Jill's expensive BMW, and wearing a pink shirt purchased at Barney's Department Store is clearly a new experience for him.

John, however, has the wisdom throughout the novel to know that money, and even great wealth, cannot buy...