RIP Gene Wilder: 5 Lessons About Capitalism Willy Wonka Taught Us

1.) Ultimately, Some Envy and Passion is a Good Thing

At the end of the story, Charlie and his Grandpa are finally rewarded for their patience with the keys to the factory. What made Charlie succeed wasn’t blind altruism nor was it greed and disregard for his fellow man. It was a mix of both feelings shared by him and his grandfather. Grandpa Joe spent his life in poverty, wishing to provide a better life for him and his family. Although he came close to never fulfilling his dreams, his better life was ultimately granted to him and his Grandson had the chance to turn things around for everyone they cared about. Had he not wished for anything but the bare necessities, or became too insensitive like the other families had, chances are he’d still be living in poverty. It was ultimately seeing how great wealth is and striving to earn some himself that got him what he wanted.

Similarly, Charlie didn’t get what he wanted because he wished  for a change in circumstance. He was determined to get what he wanted and stopped at nothing to obtain it. Had he lacked the drive to find that ticket and save his family, he probably would have given up and some other kid with the desire to meet Willy Wonka would have gotten it.

Those are ultimately the two things that make you succeed in life: a goal, sometimes inspired by a person you look up to, and the drive to get yourself there.

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