Comparing Tale Of Wealth And The Gilded Age

In the late nineteenth century, the United States witnessed a tremendous growth in wealth and corruption in government, which created great difference between the poor and the rich. Two American authors, “Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner, called this era of growth in prosperity and corruption The Gilded Age” (Roark Johnson, 518). During this period of time, the American economy was dominated by railroads, steel, and oil industries which were controlled by influential individuals, rather than the government. Having control over major industries only benefited the wealthy individuals, and worsen the conditions of those in lower classes. Due to the increase in competition, these industries corrupted the government and took over small businesses,

Instead of wasting money on unnecessary objects or luxurious items, the rich should use it for public good. Carnegie was a “Scottish immigrant” (Roark 524) who worked hard to become an influential figure in the Industrial era where competition meant everything. Since Carnegie knew the value of hardship and money, he could relate to those who were victims of big private corporations. According to Carnegie, “whether the change be for good or ill, it is upon us, beyond our power to alter, and therefore, to be accepted and made the best of it” (Carnegie 53). Again, Carnegie here advices other wealthy individuals to wisely spend their money on public, even though many imperialist at the time did not agree with Carnegie. Carnegie’s sympathetic attitude towards the poor made him a hero in the eyes of many, and thus “before his death, he gave away more than $300 million most notably to public libraries” (Roark 524). Carnegie firmly believed that the condition of the poor can be improved if those in power helped them financially. Carnegie's this belief challenges the idea of social darwinism which states, “ societal progress came about as a result of relentless competition in which the strong survived and the weak died out” (Roark, 530). Although Carnegie had experienced poverty early in his life, he was still able to overcome poverty and become one of the wealthiest persons in the United States. He knew that in the long run, for the “survival of the fittest”, the weak do not necessarily have to fail if others decide to help them. To Carnegie, “a true gospel solves problems of both the rich and the