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7.Money, Wealth and Greed. Money - and the temptations it offers - affects most of the story. Part of Tom's virtue is that he is blissfully ignorant of the greed and negativity which the desire for money can inspire. When he leaves Paradise Hall, he is given money by Allworthy, but barely realizes it; at a result, he loses it. He scrapes by, but refuses to cash the banknote in Sophia’s pocketbook, even when prompted by Sophia to do so. His personal poverty prompts him to accept the advances of Lady Bellaston, but he almost immediately gives that money to Mrs. Miller to help her cousin. Most other characters show more weakness in this area. The Man of the Hill began his downward spiral by stealing, and then by being drawn into gambling. Further, Ensign Northerton is willing to rape Mrs. Waters, who had been his loyal companion, for her jewelry and money. We see that Mrs. Harriet Fitzgerald lost favor with her aunt and gained a philandering husband all because he wanted her wealth to pay off his debts. He imprisons her because of her protests, but her release is equally facilitated by money. As she tells her cousin, “…gold, the key to all padlocks, opened my door and set me at liberty” (536). Of course, the most pernicious example of greed comes through Blifil. Both he and his father are undone by their greed. Captain Blifil dies of an apoplexy as he lusts over his brother-in-law’s lands. Because of his greed, he dismissed his brother following the match with Bridget, and his brother died of a broken heart over it. Of course, one could argue that what kills Dr. Blifil is actually that he has lost his link to the inheritance represented by Bridget. Finally, the young Blifil exhibits incessant cruelty towards his uncle and towards Tom solely so he can keep the Allworthy inheritance for himself. Part of Tom's ultimate wisdom is in realizing that men are flawed, and must be forgiven for their weaknesses. He shows a great understanding of greed when he forgives Black George and Blifil for their trespasses at the end of the novel.