The Corruptive Power of Money

The main theme of the play is that the allure of money is strong enough to corrupt anyone, no matter how upright or enlightened they think they might be. Naturally, no one would like to think that they could be tempted into doing something as immoral as murder simply by money, and the progression of the townspeople from refusal and outrage to committing murder is meant to mirror the progression that any individual might experience. Thus, after their initial outrage, the townspeople are immediately of two minds about it. While not yet ready to commit to murder, they are willing to have a taste of the reward for murder, and begin purchasing for themselves expensive new clothes and expensive drinks. As Ill points out, the townspeople will get used to their new standard of living and will do whatever it takes—namely, murder...