Money and Meaning in “It’s a Wonderful Life”

I’d like to present you with some lessons from the famous Christmas movie “It’s a wonderful life.” Before you write me off, however, I don’t think you’ve ever noticed these insightes before. I know I hadn’t. Henry F. Potter, the brain, embodies the greedy capitalist scrooge character who enriches himself and cares for no one else. Peter Bailey, the heart, is the big hearted socialist who exploits the capitalist for his altruistic pursuits, but at the risk of constant bankruptcy. George Bailey, the heart with a brain, finds a sustainable balance by running a not for profit business while following wisely the laws of finance.

I’ve clipped in some excepts from the movie in-between my own observations.