Landscape with Invisible Hand

The societal effects of capitalism and the wealth gap it increasingly creates is the primary theme throughout Landscape with Invisible Hand. The setting, characters, and secondary themes contribute to developing this overarching theme, which is central to the text’s anti-capitalist message. The story is set in a futuristic capitalist world that the technologically advanced vuvv have taken over. The vuvv strongly value consumerism, as Shirley describes: “We’ve lost the path, you know, with all this commercialization” (83). Shirley’s assertion that humans contrast the vuvv in that they’re spiritual is ironic because human culture generally values consumerism over spirituality. The vuvv invasion results in an extreme wealth gap, which creates the poverty conditions on the planet’s surface. Although the author uses science fiction pretenses to depict the wealth gap, he’s satirizing the increasing gap between the upper and lower class in the real world.

The plot events and characters develop this theme by representing certain impacts and perspectives. Adam’s family falls into poverty when Mr. and Mrs. Costello lose their jobs. Mr. Costello, who is self-serving, flees to avoid the burden of caring for his family. His character represents the concept that capitalism leads to extreme individualism. Mrs. Costello, who fights to remain optimistic while persistently job searching, represents the anti-capitalist argument that one can’t overcome poverty simply by working hard. Similarly, Hunter Marsh, who idolizes and emulates the vuvv, hopes to escape poverty by becoming vuvv-like; however, his imitative behaviors improve neither his social nor financial status. Mr. Reilly represents the middle class. He has a reliable job and makes enough money to get by but doesn’t benefit from the capitalist society. He serves those who live in poverty by volunteering to teach art, while being degraded by the wealthy upper class. Although he makes enough to support himself, he can’t afford luxuries or conveniences, which is why he eagerly eats the steak the Gregsons give him. Adam, Chloe, and Nattie each experience shortened childhoods because they must help financially support their families. The loss is especially tragic in Nattie, who at 12 years old, sells her toys and offers to risk future consequences by selling footage of herself and her new boyfriend dating.

The other two themes, Expressing Truth Through Art and the Ups and Downs of Young Love, help develop the overarching theme of capitalism and the widening wealth gap. Adam’s truthful art acts as a physical representation of the negative consequences of unchecked capitalism and consumerism. Relationships, too, are impacted negatively by consumerism and wealth gaps. Chloe and Adam feel obligated to keep presenting themselves as a loving couple because if they stop, both their families will lose their primary income. The profits inspire Chloe to partake in the show again with Buddy, although she already experienced one failed attempt, which ended in a lawsuit. Nattie, too, offers to sell her relationship to the vuvv despite the risk. The family members do what they must to survive extreme poverty. By making the theme of capitalism and the wealth gap the novel’s central feature, the author sends a warning about the current economic, political, and social trends in the US and grounds the text in satirical fiction.