Poldark Saga - Winston Graham discussion

Do you think Winston Graham was encouraging the "pay as you go" theme in the series? He seems repeatedly to have his characters suffer for going into debt. Ross is perhaps the only one that comes out okay, but only because of an anonymous benefactor! Or was the message not about debt itself, but of the corrupt lending practices of the time--40% interest, loaning more than a person could possibly pay off, etc.?

I believe so.
The emphasis he places on the Warleggan's having fingers in so many pies, being able to crumble a business as soon as debts were called in is a massive warning to those reading the books.

Manage your money wisely, be mindful of who you borrow off and make sure you are aware of all possibilities ahead.

Ross (in the earlier books certainly, I can't say anything about the later ones as I haven't read them yet.) is very mindful of the Warleggans and their interests in other's businesses. He however doesn't think of his own money worries until they are very much upon him.

If you haven't got the money, make sure the person/business you loan it off, will not drop you in the slurry for their own benefit.

I agree with Ann. That said, our hero Ross never gives a damn about money and almost comes to grief over it. Yes, lending practices were corrupt and usurious, but most people never experienced this because they didn't have any money. I think the main theme the books try to get across is that the personal relationship between lender and borrower is much more important than the borrower's apparent ability to repay the loan. Harris Pascoe is probably the best friend Ross has in the early books, not because Pascoe agrees with Ross but because he has faith in Ross' character. The Warleggans never gave a damn about such personal matters, and they suffered for it.

Marilyn wrote: "I think the main theme the books try to get across is that the personal relationship between lender and borrower is much more important than the borrower's apparent ability to repay the loan."

Does that apply at all to today's world of big banks? Are smaller, local banks or credit unions different in their lending practices? My own experience with a local bank (and dealing with the same lending agent for years) is that they offer the personal touch and will try every angle to get me the loan--but they tend to be more conservative. Are they looking out for my interests in not saddling me with debt, or protecting their own interests when they don't want to take a gamble on whether I'll repay?