Kaplan as a Consumer

Just as Roger is above consumerism, Kaplan, the man who he is mistaken to be, is the ultimate consumer. This fact gives Roger more motivation to persuade those around him of the fact that he is not Kaplan. In the scene at the Townsend mansion, we are informed of the extensive travels of Kaplan by Vandamm (acting as Townsend). In “Kaplan’s” hotel room we are presented with visual proof of Kaplan’s extensive purchases with the appearances of a chamber maid and a tailor.

At this point, Roger tries to piece together how he may fit into the life style of Kaplan, but all of the evidence he gathers places Kaplan in the category of a “consumer”—something that Roger is not. When Roger physically tries to compare himself to Kaplan by seeing if Kaplan’s suit can size up to his figure, he is assured of his status by his mother who exclaims “I don’t think that one does anything for you.” This scene defines Roger’s status as a man above consumption and Kaplan for both the viewer and himself.