Before Chapter 1, there's an idiom that serves as the book's epigraph:
The victors belong to the spoils.
When victors belong to their spoils, the people who devote themselves to the pursuit of material goods ("spoils") have essentially become slaves to their purpose. This idiom reverses the more traditional aphorism—that "to the victor belong the spoils." This alternate version implies that so-called victors can lose control of themselves in light of their goals. In the context of the story, this epigraph begins to make sense as Anthony and Gloria become entirely wrapped up in their pursuit of material goods. They both end up "belonging" almost entirely to their pursuits—Gloria to stay beautiful, because that is her currency (that allows her to live comfortably), and Anthony to be rich without having to work for a single cent.
The "victors" include both Anthony and Gloria, who end up winning the lawsuit and the inheritance money. However, in achieving this victory, they degrade themselves. Gloria discovers that she looks old and anxious, and Anthony becomes an alcoholic. Both lack any depth of intellect or emotion. This line also serves as a moment of subtle foreshadowing, because its meaning becomes clearer throughout the story as Anthony and Gloria focus all of their time and attention on the lawsuit to win his grandfather's inheritance.
It is important to note that the novel's final line echoes its epigraph:
“I showed them,” he was saying. “It was a hard fight, but I didn’t give up and I came through!"
Strong active verbs "showed" and "came through" make Anthony seem like a hero. However, the verbs are strung together in canned phrases that cheapen his attempt at a triumphant speech. Moreover, the idiomatic epigraph looms large, reminding the reader that Anthony's whole identity is now wrapped up in preserving wealth. He is not a hero but is rather a slave to his own greed. He is the victor who belongs to the spoils.
Before Chapter 1, there's an idiom that serves as the book's epigraph:
The victors belong to the spoils.
When victors belong to their spoils, the people who devote themselves to the pursuit of material goods ("spoils") have essentially become slaves to their purpose. This idiom reverses the more traditional aphorism—that "to the victor belong the spoils." This alternate version implies that so-called victors can lose control of themselves in light of their goals. In the context of the story, this epigraph begins to make sense as Anthony and Gloria become entirely wrapped up in their pursuit of material goods. They both end up "belonging" almost entirely to their pursuits—Gloria to stay beautiful, because that is her currency (that allows her to live comfortably), and Anthony to be rich without having to work for a single cent.
The "victors" include both Anthony and Gloria, who end up winning the lawsuit and the inheritance money. However, in achieving this victory, they degrade themselves. Gloria discovers that she looks old and anxious, and Anthony becomes an alcoholic. Both lack any depth of intellect or emotion. This line also serves as a moment of subtle foreshadowing, because its meaning becomes clearer throughout the story as Anthony and Gloria focus all of their time and attention on the lawsuit to win his grandfather's inheritance.
It is important to note that the novel's final line echoes its epigraph:
“I showed them,” he was saying. “It was a hard fight, but I didn’t give up and I came through!"
Strong active verbs "showed" and "came through" make Anthony seem like a hero. However, the verbs are strung together in canned phrases that cheapen his attempt at a triumphant speech. Moreover, the idiomatic epigraph looms large, reminding the reader that Anthony's whole identity is now wrapped up in preserving wealth. He is not a hero but is rather a slave to his own greed. He is the victor who belongs to the spoils.
