While others see this in a political light, the first thing that came to my mind watching this silent film was the Biblical parable about the man - to paraphrase - who wanted all his barns full and to be rich above all else, but not realizing it wouldn't do him any good if died the next day, which he did.
Here, in this short story, we see a man who wants to corner the entire wheat market, and does so making him an incredibly wealthy man. However, moments after he hears the good news about how much money he's worth, he slips and falls into a grain elevator with that grain suffocating him.
In addition, we see the poor people suffering because they can't afford a loaf of bread, thanks to the greedy people like this guy (and others). We also see the same opening and closing scene, indicating to me that Griffith thought the best way to make a living is to work at it, and do things the right way even if it takes awhile.
Here, in this short story, we see a man who wants to corner the entire wheat market, and does so making him an incredibly wealthy man. However, moments after he hears the good news about how much money he's worth, he slips and falls into a grain elevator with that grain suffocating him.
In addition, we see the poor people suffering because they can't afford a loaf of bread, thanks to the greedy people like this guy (and others). We also see the same opening and closing scene, indicating to me that Griffith thought the best way to make a living is to work at it, and do things the right way even if it takes awhile.