What is the connection between money and health, virility

Part 1 / Chapter 8

In many novels of this period, especially those dealing with Realism or Naturalism, money and health go hand-in-hand. The same occurs in this novel, where a loss of money leads to a stroke for the Captain. It is important to notice in the second half of the novel that the opposite will occur for Ivy Peters, whose increased fortunes give rise to increased sexual virility.

Notice the emphasis on honor that leads the Captain to pay out all his own money. The Judge state that he despises the new generation of bankers and lawyers. This is part of the changing world order, where the old world is paying to be replaced by the new one.