Money isin't everything you know...

The first two chapters lead up to this point in the book. We reach the climax of the breakfast. The chapter is full of discussion, anger, frustration and we are really able to see how Wilhelm's patience reaches the top. He is very careful of what he says around his father, he tries not to contradict him even though inside he is screaming to tell his father what he truly thinks of him. 

During the conversation they have over breakfast, including Mr. Perl's various comments, we can tell that Tommy's dad is very caught up in what other people think of him. He does not want to let Mr. Perl know about his children's failures, in a way he is ashamed of them. Also, every little thing revolves around one thing only, money. This is a reoccurring topic, it's all Dr. Adler, Mr. Perl and Tommy think about. Tommy blames all his disgraces on the fact that he no longer has the money he used to nor he does he have the career and lifestyle to earn money. In fact, I find Dr. Adler is actually quite obsessed with money, everything he says always comes back to that. He is a very materialistic person which leads me to think that this may be the reason why he is so selfish and was never able to be the unconditional father one should be. 

"I can't give you any money. There would be no end to it if I started. You and your sister would take every last buck from me. I'm still alive, not dead. I am still here. Life isn't over yet.  I am as much alive as you or anyone. And I want nobody on my back. Get off! And I give you the same advice, Wilky. Carry nobody on you back"

To me, this is the most shocking and revealing passage of the whole chapter. It shows how greedy and superficial a person can become, how self involved with money a person can become. This clearly shows why Dr. Adler thinks the way he does and treats his son the way he does. 

Although you cannot always carry everyone on your 'back' you can atleast try to because you will never know if you will need their help in the future. Even though it is in our nature to be selfish for the most part you try not to be because in the end who will you have? Will you be the person who ends up alone?