Money symbolizes power throughout the novel. For Flem, and others like him, the allure of money supplants any possibility of compassion or love. When Flem takes over running the Varners’ store, one of the clearest differences between him and his predecessor is that while Jody Varner would make mistakes with money, both in his own favor and against, Flem was completely inflexible. This rigidity extends to his willingness to extend credit or make allowances, showing how Flem’s exacting attitude toward money harms the community. Ratliff, in contrast to Flem, makes his money through his charm and understanding of other people. He is an effective salesman because he enjoys interacting with other people. He thinks of business transactions as “the pleasure of the shrewd dealing which far transcended mere gross profit” (68). Ratliff also doesn’t conduct business with the same ruthlessness as Flem. He is persuasive, but he does not scam people.

Money leads less shrewd people to disaster. Mink Snopes is caught by the sheriff when he goes back to Houston’s body to search for his $50. Armstid’s willingness to spend his last $5 on Flem’s pony scam leads to suffering for his wife. But it is not only the presence of money that leads to these disasters—it is the lack of it.