Is it me or would anybody else like to know how a lottery that long ago could have $5,000 for its jackpot prize?
Also, does anybody know how much that would be worth in today's time? Certainly a lot but not too much because they NEVER mentioned that with that much money, McTeague would never have to work again.
a new car back then cost $200. That should put in in perspective.
shareHe probably wouldn't have had to have a normal job, but if you watched the film you would know that she never used the money not even for herself. He was good to not make her use it... until they needed it but even then she would rather them starve and live in horrible conditions than use her precious gold.
The real question is why did he not just go to school and get his dentistry license?
Well he doesn't exactly strike me as being the brightest guy, maybe he knew he'd never pass.
shareHe got confused buying tickets for the theater. No way would he have been able to go to dental school.
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it
According to http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=5000&year1=1924&y ear2=2013 it would be over $68,000 today.
shareThe novel was published in 1899. I always presumed the story was set during the 1840's gold rush. But assuming it was meant for 1899, $5,000 would have been worth $142,857.14
sharenovastar_6 says > Certainly a lot but not too much because they NEVER mentioned that with that much money, McTeague would never have to work again.Trina won the money before she and Mac were married. He was earning a living as a dentist and could take care of them so even after they got married he never acted as if he was entitled to any of the money or considered it his. Even though it was a lot of money for the time, I don't think he would have considered quitting his job. Besides, people don't just work to earn a living. They do it to contribute to society, to have something to do with their time, to feel good about themselves, to feel a sense of accomplishment, etc.