Question

What is a thesis statement for "Ladies and Gentlemen" by Joyce Carol Oates, if the central idea is 'greediness can cause harm to loved ones'? Please mention the use of a literary technique

Answer 1

In Joyce Carol Oates' chilling tale "Ladies and Gentlemen," the characters' insatiable greed, symbolized by the recurring motif of the "golden cage," ultimately leads to devastating consequences for their loved ones, demonstrating the corrosive power of unchecked ambition on human relationships.

The "golden cage" motif effectively symbolizes the characters' entrapment in their own desires.

While initially appearing desirable and promising wealth and success, the cage ultimately represents the characters' self-imposed isolation and the damage they inflict on those they love in their relentless pursuit of riches.