Insurance in the Arts
“Security is mortal’s chiefest enemy.”
Shakespeare, Macbeth, 3.5.32-33
Themes of fate and the vulnerability of human endeavors to unforeseen calamities are common in literature. Insurance could change the plot. Today, the necessary covers are readily available.
“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant: If Mathilde Loisel had insurance for the borrowed necklace, the financial ruin that followed its loss could have been avoided.
“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller: Willy Loman’s life insurance plays a critical role in the plot, highlighting the tragic implications of his reliance on life insurance as a legacy for his family.
“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville: If Captain Ahab’s ship, the Pequod, had been insured, the financial devastation to the ship’s owners after its destruction by the white whale might have been mitigated.
“Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens: If Miss Havisham had property insurance, the fire damage to her estate could have been covered, potentially altering her and Pip’s future.
“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens: If Ebenezer Scrooge had offered health insurance to his employee Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim’s health condition could have been better addressed, potentially altering the story’s emotional climax.
“The Wizard of Oz” (movie): If Dorothy’s house had been insured, her family could have received financial compensation for the damage caused by the tornado.
“There’s no place like home.”
- “The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare: If Antonio had marine insurance for his ships, the bond he made with Shylock, which led to the dramatic court scene, would not have been necessary.
“My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,
The penalty and forfeit of my bond.”
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley: If Victor Frankenstein had liability insurance, it could have offered some protection against the damages caused by his creation.
“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck: If the Joad family had property or travel insurance during their journey to California, it might have alleviated some of their financial hardships.
“Breaking Bad” (TV series): If Walter White had adequate health insurance, his desperate turn to manufacturing methamphetamine to cover his cancer treatment costs might not have happened.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (movie): George Bailey’s life insurance policy is a pivotal plot point, showing the value of life insurance but also the despair it can bring when viewed as the only solution to financial problems.
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier: If the Manderley estate had been insured, the fire that destroys it could have had less of a devastating impact on the characters’ lives.
“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare: If Macbeth had an insurance policy against business interruptions or political instability, the consequences of his actions for his kingdom might have been different.
“The Wolf of Wall Street” (movie): Insurance against fraudulent practices could have been a significant element in the plot, highlighting the risks of the financial sector.
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë: If Mr. Rochester had property insurance, the fire that damages Thornfield Hall and alters the characters’ lives could have been less catastrophic financially.
“Jude the Obscure” by Thomas Hardy: Jude loses his flock of sheep resulting in significant financial loss for Jude, impacting his aspirations and stability. Livestock insurance would change the plot!
Based on material provided by GPT4.