Insecurity in Rich Boy

One of the themes most applicable to college students in Rich Boy by Sharon Pomerantz is that of insecurity. Disillusioned with the neighborhood in which he grew up, Robert works hard to get to Tufts University. There he yearns to fit in with his wealthy peers, but has to work many odd jobs to pay for food. Reflecting on Robert’s place in the social hierarchy, the narrator states “These boys were the strivers at the public magnet high school, bused out of their communities because they were smart, arriving home each night, trying to blend in with their neighbors and families whom they secretly wanted only to abandon. He knew them because he was one of them. It was painful to see these things and realize how other people would see him.” Robert’s roommate shows the complete disparity among those who can afford to pay their full way at school and those that are working for their stay. Tracey parades his wealth when he decides that throwing away his tailored shirts and buying new ones is much easier task than washing them. This display of conspicuous consumption isolates Robert even more, but at the same time he grasps onto this idea of extreme wealth and makes it his ultimate goal. After graduation, Robert continues his social climb by attending law school and then working at a prestigious firm. He does all he can to become a member of the elite New York high society. Even though Robert can seem obsesses with this wealthy culture, ultimately he still holds onto the memories from his youth. He compares the suits he is now buying to those that his father wore. No matter how much he embodies wealth he has internalized poverty which separates him from the majority of this class. 

This concept of fitting in can be applied to real life scenarios here at Colby. Simple things like having one student ask another if they ski or where they summer can trigger insecurity for a student who has not been able to participate in these wealthy pastimes. I think that this class has been extremely eye opening to class difference, not only in literature but also in our daily interactions. If Colby could introduce some sort of education on class into the freshmen curriculum I think that the campus could become more understanding of different economic backgrounds.