First of all I can see why this made the "20 classics you have to read before you die" list. His use of imagery and description is memorable. The characters are humorous and his use of irony is intriguing. "Our hero..." is a symbol of those many people enticed by vanity and prominence. The most pivotal conversation when the scheme is found out and "our hero" faces banishment is the good man who says - instead of holding onto all of these dead souls, focus on nourishing your soul, "your living soul". Like many however, the repentant words do not create a lasting change and "our hero" escapes likely to continue his schemes. The question of nourishing a soul comes to mind. It doesn't seemed nourished or changed through temporal gain, though amusing and interesting. Nourishing a soul seems to have to do more with ones own communion with god and sense of purpose and identity- people with this truly have a sense of peace and a well nourished living soul. "Our hero..." unfortunately seemed to have a dead soul.
