In 'Entitlement,' a young woman helps an elderly billionaire give away his fortune
Sep 18, 2024
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Rumaan Alam, author of 'Entitlement,' discusses the ethical dilemmas of wealth through the journey of Brooke, a woman tasked with helping a billionaire decide how to give away his fortune. Alongside NPR's Scott Simon, they explore whether we're witnessing a new Gilded Age. Topics include the challenges of philanthropy, the intersection of wealth and identity in art, and the balance between creativity and family life. Alam thoughtfully examines how proximity to great wealth reshapes personal ambitions and ethics.
Brooke's experience managing a billionaire's fortune forces her to confront shifting values and ethical dilemmas related to wealth.
The contrasting perspectives of Brooke and Asher Jaffee illustrate how proximity to wealth alters ambitions and perceptions of value.
Deep dives
The Quest for Identity in Wealth
Brooke, a former teacher navigating a phase of self-discovery, secures a job working for billionaire Asher Jaffee, who aims to donate his vast fortune. This position provides her with a unique perspective on wealth and philanthropy, as she contemplates what it means to contribute meaningfully to various causes. Throughout her journey, she grapples with the effects of proximity to extreme wealth, which challenges her sense of identity, priorities, and ethical beliefs. The novel illustrates her internal struggle as she tries to find her place in a world dominated by financial power and entitlement.
Wealth and Its Complexities
Asher Jaffee is portrayed not as a stereotypical nefarious billionaire, but as someone with genuine intentions who desires to effect positive change through his wealth. His character elicits a complex response, showcasing how money can distort perspectives and influence ambitions, both for himself and for Brooke. They visit an art auction together, where Asher's superficial encounter with a painting contrasts against Brooke's deeper, soulful connection, highlighting the different ways individuals can perceive value. The narrative ultimately questions the broader implications of wealth in society, suggesting that the emotional and moral effects extend beyond those who hold financial power.
In Rumaan Alam's new novel, Entitlement, Brooke, a former teacher, is given a rare opportunity. She takes a job with an 83-year-old billionaire and is tasked with helping him decide what to do with his fortune. But, as Brooke spends more time in proximity to such great wealth, the experience begins to distort her sense of priorities, ambitions and personal ethics. In today's episode, Alam speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about the stratification of wealth, whether we're living through a new Gilded Age and the effect money has on us.
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