Answer:
In the short story "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" by Walter Dean Myers, the theme of whether money can buy happiness is explored through the experiences of the characters Lemon Brown, Greg, and Greg's father.
Lemon Brown, a homeless man who is seen as a nuisance by some of the other characters in the story, treasures a collection of old items that he has gathered over the years. While these items may not have any monetary value, they hold immense sentimental value for Lemon Brown, reminding him of his past and giving him a sense of purpose and identity. For Lemon Brown, happiness is not found in material possessions, but in the memories and experiences that these possessions represent.
On the other hand, Greg's father values money and success above all else. He pressures Greg to focus on his schoolwork and to achieve financial stability, believing that this is the key to happiness and success in life. However, Greg's father is depicted as unhappy and unfulfilled, lacking the emotional connection and sense of purpose that Lemon Brown has found through his collection of old items.
Greg, the protagonist of the story, initially shares his father's focus on material success, but his encounter with Lemon Brown and the discovery of the old items in Lemon Brown's possession causes him to question his values. Through his interactions with Lemon Brown, Greg learns that happiness and fulfillment can be found in connections with others, in personal growth and development, and in the pursuit of meaningful goals, rather than in the acquisition of wealth or status.
Overall, the characters in "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" suggest that money alone cannot buy happiness, and that other factors, such as personal connections, self-discovery, and a sense of purpose and identity, are equally important. While Lemon Brown finds happiness in his collection of old items, and Greg discovers a newfound appreciation for the non-material aspects of life, Greg's father serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the potential emptiness and dissatisfaction that can come from focusing solely on financial success.
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