Final answer:
Themes in Peter Nazareth's 'Money Man' include the persistence of poverty, the morality of wealth and theft, and class disparity, as well as the overarching influence of money on society and individual lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
When exploring the themes in Peter Nazareth's text "Money Man", it is evident that one of the central themes is the struggle to escape debt and poverty. In one scene, prisoners are depicted engaging in futile projects such as attempting to turn lead into gold or solving the national debt crisis, which symbolizes the immense difficulty of escaping from financial hardship during Georgian Britain. Another example is a character who, despite having a sum of money that could offer some reprieve, grapples with the morality of being a thief, contemplating the inequity between the rich and the poor.
These instances demonstrate key themes such as the persistence of poverty, the morality of wealth and theft, and the class disparity. The narrative portrays a world where money enters every sphere of life, from the religious belief in a spiritual credit account to the consumerism-driven poetry, painting, and opera of the Song Dynasty. It also touches on how the proliferation of the money economy spurs both innovation and corruption, as seen in the fluctuating value placed on copper and its uses.
Fitzgerald's exploration of money, unattainable love, and individual identity further aligns with themes presented in 'Money Man'. In the broader historical and cultural context, artworks such as 'The Tribute Money' fresco illustrate the omnipresence of financial concerns, from divine providence to taxation. Money is depicted as a double-edged sword, representing freedom and bondage, moral conundrums, and the relentless drive to find one's place in a materialistic society.