rich character vs. poor character theme

A conspicuously affluent person is deliberately put in contrast with a notably impoverished person.

Examples

In "movie: City Lights (1931)" we see Charlie Chaplin's destitute Tramp befriend a filthy rich man known as The Millionaire. While the former can barely feed and clothe himself, the latter has several servants and enjoys all sorts of luxuries.

29 total · 2 choice · 19 major · 8 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
movie: Parasite (2019) choice the story contrasted the rich Park family with the Poor Kim family, and then again with the completely impoverished Moon-gwang and Geun-sae
tz1985e3x18 choice The life of an unemployed man who was living with his family in a homeless shelter was contrasted with that of a wealthy business man who was living in a mansion.
ahh2x22 major Dave was a poor man trying to make it in the world while Bonnie was a rich kid born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
ahh3x08 major The story contrasted the impoverished Colin with his relatively affluent brother George.
ahp7x27 major A point of the story was to contrast Alan (unsuccessful, impoverished, frivolous, deceitful) with Ralston (successful, rich, snobbish, sophisticated, generous).
ahp7x37 major A point of the story was to contrast the impoverished Beatniks Mitch and Judy, with the uptight and and comparatively well-off assistant professor Kenneth.
ftt1982e2x02 major The Cathay Emperor was contrasted with a lowly kitchen maid. The story variously featured their respective points of view.
ftt1982e4x07 major The filthy rich Emperor and his affluent courtiers were variously compared and contrasted with the peasants of the kingdom.
movie: City Lights (1931) major A penniless but cheerful tramp was contraposed with a suicidal millionaire.
movie: Death on the Nile (1978) major especially Linnet was contrasted with her maid; also van Shuyler with Miss Bowers