Reading 1001 discussion

What are the main themes of the book?

Avarice. The whole premise of Tallboy's downfall was his desire for easy money. Advertising and the needs it artificially creates for the consumer is satirised. The points Sayer makes are as applicable today, although it is easier now to avoid advertising by avoiding commercial radio and television stations, for example. Sir Peter Wimsey remarks that he has no need of advertising, but this is because his needs are already fulfilled by his wealthy status. The poor are duped by advertising into thinking they can raise their statue by acquiring things.

I agree partially with Pip: I think it is greed more than avarice that is the main theme here. Although you could also avoid publicity back then by not reading the newspaper, these days publicity is everywhere and can't hardly be avoided. In the last 20 years, not only with the advent of the Internet, publicity started to pop up in places you least expect it, for instance, in public bathrooms...