Rich Man, Poor Man
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Rich Man, Poor Man is a novel written by Irwin Shaw. In 1976 it was adapted into a highly-rated 1976 television miniseries spawning a trend on American TV that lasted for the next fifteen years.
Originally published as a short story in Playboy Magazine, it became an international bestseller when published as a novel. The central theme of the novel is the relationship between two brothers, Tom and Rudy Jordache. Tom Jordache is constantly in trouble, quitting high school, getting into fights, being in trouble with the law, and leading a very blue-collar life. In contrast, Rudy Jordache is the perfect son, the perfect student, and the perfect businessman. He reaches the pinnacle of success in everything he does. The plot spans twenty years from the end of World War II through the mid-1960s.
Central theme is about two children's lives and the different paths they take in life. Rudy was the perfect son but at what cost to his true self. Tom was a so-called misfit but develops true understanding of life through a tough road. Each child represents the differences each person can interpret with the same upbringing. Both parents are to blame for their immediate branding of each child and the outcome of their lives.
The title of the novel, as well as that of its sequel, is taken from a popular children's jump rope game:
- Gypsy, Gypsy please tell me
- What my fortune's going to be
- Rich-man, Poor-man, Beggar-man, Thief
- Doc-tor, Law-yer, In-di-an Chief
- Tink-er, Tail-or
- Cow-boy, Sail-or
[edit] Characters
- Rudolph Jordache was born in 1929 in Port Philip, New York, to bakery owners Axel and Mary Jordache. In high school, Rudy was a top student, making the honor society. He was on the debate team, the track team, and he took French. He worked after school and on weekends in his parents' bakery, and he was also a trumpet player in a local band called The River Five. Using his investment knowledge and business connections, he turned Calderwood's into a dynamic and highly profitable company, and he became its president. Through his own investments he became a multi-millionaire and retired at the age of 35. He became mayor of Whitby, though had to resign over the mis-handling of a student riot. He then went to live in New York, apparently enjoying his leisure time. Rudy married Jean, the alcoholic heir to a Wisconsin pharmaceutical empire. They have a daughter, Enid.
- Thomas Jordache was the unsuccessful brother in the novel, who was constantly in trouble with the law. He did not graduate high school, preferring to pull pranks and get into fights with his friend Claude Tinker. After being sent away from home for an act of arson, Tom moved in with his Uncle Harold in Elysium, Ohio. He learned mechanics while working in Harold's garage, though had to leave Elysium after impregnating two girls. He became a pro boxer in New York City, and rose in the ranks, becoming fairly successful until another incident forced him quit boxing. He worked for a time as a Merchant Marine, until settling in France and buying his own boat for a charter business. Tom had one son, named Wesley.
[edit] Miniseries
There are some differences in the television adaptation of Rich Man, Poor Man. It is following his retirement from Calderwood's that Rudy would become a State Senator from New York. He would then marry his childhood sweetheart, Julie Prescott.
The opening credits of the mini-series were created by a very young Malcolm T Liepke. [1]
