"Rich Boy," Sharon Pomerantz

            In the first few chapters of the novel “Rich Boy,” as the Vishniak family gathers to toast Robert’s fortune of college acceptance, there is a distinct moment of foreshadowing that comments not only on the moral decay that is to come, but the value of tradition and solidarity in Robert’s Jewish family. As each relative shouts out a proposal for Robert’s future, they boldly pronounce their perspectives on each job—the honor or disgrace of each. This conversation about occupation, in hindsight from following Robert’s choice, underlines his betrayal of his family and their values.

            Cece, Robert’s grandmother, is the first to speak up, explaining how when she was a girl, everyone in town would fight over who was allowed to shine the shoes of the town doctor because it was an honor. Her dream “was that Robert should become the one whose shoes got shined instead of the one doing the shining” (45). Cece’s comment foresees the events to come, for Robert—as a lawyer—does in fact get his shoes shined. However, the girl who shines his shoes, Sally, is actually more honorable, more genuine, than Robert himself at that point.

            Visniak suggests a lawyer, which incites a grand debate over the corruption and deceit of high-paying occupations. “’Lawyers are crooks,’ a cousin blurted out. ‘Have an accident at work and they come out of the woodwork’” (45). Robert later becomes a lawyer, and this conversation resonates through his experience. Though he never actually steals money, he is a “crook” in that he cheats himself out of having a satisfying and content life. Everything Robert does has the objective of making money, of being wealthy. Such an aim, as Robert realizes far too late, excludes the possibility of happiness, of pursuing genuine interests, and of finding true love.

            After the cousin’s outburst, another relative chimes in: “’Stockbrokers,’ said Aunt Lolly, ‘A license to steal’” (45). Again, coincidentally, this parallels to Robert’s life as his brother, Barry, later becomes a stockbroker. This “license to steal” (45) proves true, as Barry has lied to Robert about how much money he has made him in investing, exaggerating the numbers. After the stock market crash, the brothers’ tension and frustration—both with their mother’s death and the extreme loss of money—incites a fight. When Robert begins to move his mother’s furniture to take it to his apartment, Barry claims, “’You’re stealing from me. I deserve half of that!’” (510) to which Robert retorts, “You want to talk to me about stealing?’” (510). As they physically fight, screaming at the each other about ruining their lives, stealing their money, the moment appears the manifestation of their aunt’s warning, as well as evidence of the corruption of these occupations.

            In the wake of Robert’s college acceptance, he finds a conflict between his family’s values and the desire he holds for himself. Robert “gave little thought to the fact that the family had gathered to celebrate his launch into the world of the college-educated, a world they believed to be rife with corruption and dishonesty” (45). Robert wants this for himself—to make money, to get out, to escape his parents’ difficult existence. To do so, he must decide whether to embrace of discard their values. In essence, he must either become one of them or isolate himself in his quest for wealth. To his family, “only the world of working people—the world of suckers, as Vishniak put it—was an honest one” (45). Robert’s choice to attend college is more than a choice for an easier life; it’s a choice to divide from his family.