Greed as a Motivator

Greed is a strong motivator that makes Denny and his four friends steal priceless manuscripts from Princeton, causes Mercer to go against her own ideas about morality, and even makes an insurance company try to find a way out of paying the expensive claim. Greed not only prompts Denny and the others to steal the Fitzgerald manuscripts, it also makes Denny try to get more money for the documents, an act that results in his arrest. Mercer’s belief that her life will be better if her student loans are paid off motivates her to put herself into a position where her morals are compromised. Hoping to keep from having to pay Princeton’s $25 million claim, their insurance company employs Elaine and her company to investigate the whereabouts of the Fitzgerald manuscripts. They are pleased when the manuscripts are returned, not necessarily because...