Literary Devices in Rich Dad, Poor Dad ✍️

By Robert Kiyosaki

Contents

Introduction

📘 Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki is a personal finance classic that has inspired millions around the world. Published in 1997, this book falls under the self-help and personal finance genre. Robert Kiyosaki, an entrepreneur and investor, shares his financial journey through the contrasting philosophies of his two “dads”—his biological father (Poor Dad) and the father of his best friend (Rich Dad). This book offers readers valuable lessons on financial literacy, investing, and building wealth through stories and practical advice.

Plot Summary

Rich Dad, Poor Dad tells the story of Robert Kiyosaki and his two fathers. The “Poor Dad,” who is Kiyosaki’s real father, is highly educated but financially struggling. The “Rich Dad” is the father of Kiyosaki’s best friend, who is a successful entrepreneur with limited formal education but a keen understanding of money. The book explores the different approaches these two men have towards money, work, and life.

Exposition: The book begins with Kiyosaki’s childhood in Hawaii. He introduces the reader to his two fathers and sets the stage for the lessons he learned from them.
Rising Action: Kiyosaki recounts how his Rich Dad taught him about money through hands-on experiences and discussions, contrasting these lessons with the advice from his Poor Dad.
Climax: The climax occurs when Kiyosaki realizes the importance of financial education and decides to follow the teachings of his Rich Dad, which lead him on a path to financial independence.
Falling Action: Kiyosaki applies the principles he learned, such as investing in real estate and starting businesses, leading to his eventual financial success.
Resolution: The book concludes with Kiyosaki emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and encouraging readers to take control of their financial futures.

Character Analysis

Robert Kiyosaki: The protagonist and author of the book. He is curious, eager to learn about money, and ultimately driven to achieve financial independence.

Poor Dad: Kiyosaki’s biological father. He is well-educated, believes in traditional career paths, and advocates for job security. Despite his intelligence and hard work, he struggles financially.

Rich Dad: The father of Kiyosaki’s best friend. He is an entrepreneur with a strong understanding of money and investments. He teaches Kiyosaki the importance of financial education, risk-taking, and making money work for you.

Character Analysis Summary Table

Character	Personality	Motivations	Character Development
Robert Kiyosaki	Curious, determined, eager to learn	Achieving financial independence	Evolves from a curious learner to a financially literate individual
Poor Dad	Intelligent, traditional, hardworking	Job security, stability	Remains financially struggling despite his efforts
Rich Dad	Entrepreneurial, knowledgeable, strategic	Financial freedom, wealth creation	Shares his knowledge, helping Kiyosaki achieve financial success

Themes and Symbols

Themes

Financial Education: The book emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and education, which is seen as a key to financial success.
Entrepreneurship: Kiyosaki advocates for entrepreneurship and investing as means to achieve financial freedom.
Mindset and Attitude: The contrasting mindsets of Rich Dad and Poor Dad highlight the impact of one’s attitude towards money and work on their financial outcomes.

Symbols

Cash Flow Quadrant: Represents the different ways people earn money (Employee, Self-Employed, Business Owner, Investor).
Real Estate: Symbolizes investment opportunities and the potential for passive income.
Assets and Liabilities: Central concepts in the book, symbolizing the difference between things that put money in your pocket versus those that take money out.

Style and Tone

Conversational: Kiyosaki writes in a friendly and engaging tone, making complex financial concepts easy to understand.
Didactic: The book has an educational tone, aimed at teaching readers important lessons about money.
Inspirational: Kiyosaki’s storytelling inspires readers to rethink their financial strategies and take control of their financial futures.
Comparative: The use of contrasting examples between Rich Dad and Poor Dad highlights different approaches to money and success.

Literary Devices used in Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Metaphor

Kiyosaki uses metaphors to simplify complex financial concepts, such as referring to money as a “tool.”

Simile

Comparisons like “The rat race is like a hamster on a wheel” illustrate the futility of certain financial behaviors.

Anecdote

Personal stories and experiences are shared to make points more relatable and engaging.

Contrast

The contrasting philosophies of Rich Dad and Poor Dad serve as a central device to highlight different approaches to money.

Repetition

Key concepts are repeated throughout the book to reinforce their importance, such as “assets versus liabilities.”

Dialogue

Conversations between Kiyosaki and his Rich Dad are used to convey lessons and ideas.

Analogy

Analogies like comparing financial education to learning a new language help readers grasp new concepts.

Hyperbole

Exaggerations are sometimes used to emphasize the potential rewards of financial literacy and investing.

Allusion

References to historical figures and events are used to illustrate points and provide context.

Foreshadowing
- Early lessons hint at Kiyosaki’s eventual financial success, creating a sense of anticipation.

Literary Devices Examples

Metaphor

Example	Explanation
“Money is a tool.”	Simplifies the concept of money as something to be used effectively.
“The mind is the greatest asset.”	Emphasizes the importance of mindset and knowledge.
“Financial education is the foundation of wealth.”	Highlights the essential role of financial literacy in achieving wealth.

Simile

Example	Explanation
“The rat race is like a hamster on a wheel.”	Illustrates the repetitive and unfulfilling nature of traditional jobs.
“Investing is like planting a tree.”	Shows how investments grow over time with proper care and patience.
“Debt is like a double-edged sword.”	Describes how debt can be both beneficial and harmful.

Anecdote

Example	Explanation
Kiyosaki’s story about his first job at age 9.	Illustrates early lessons in financial education.
Rich Dad’s story about his failed business venture.	Teaches the importance of learning from failures.
Kiyosaki’s experience with real estate investing.	Provides practical examples of applying financial principles.

Contrast

Example	Explanation
Rich Dad vs. Poor Dad philosophies.	Highlights different approaches to money and success.
Traditional education vs. financial education.	Emphasizes the value of learning about money beyond formal education.
Employee mindset vs. investor mindset.	Contrasts the ways people think about earning and managing money.

Repetition

Example	Explanation
“Assets put money in your pocket.”	Reinforces the importance of acquiring assets.
“Liabilities take money out of your pocket.”	Emphasizes the need to avoid liabilities.
“Mind your own business.”	Encourages focusing on personal financial growth.

Dialogue

Example	Explanation
Conversations between Kiyosaki and Rich Dad.	Used to convey financial lessons and principles.
Discussions about investments.	Provides insights into different investment strategies.
Debates between Rich Dad and Poor Dad philosophies.	Highlights contrasting views on money and success.

Analogy

Example	Explanation
Financial education as learning a new language.	Helps readers understand the need for ongoing financial learning.
Investing as planting a tree.	Illustrates the long-term nature of investing.
Budgeting as dieting.	Shows how both require discipline and planning.

Hyperbole

Example	Explanation
“Rich Dad’s wealth seemed limitless.”	Exaggerates to emphasize the success of Rich Dad.
“The potential of financial education is boundless.”	Highlights the transformative power of financial knowledge.
“The fear of losing money is paralyzing.”	Exaggerates to stress the impact of fear on financial decisions.

Allusion

Example	Explanation
References to historical figures

like Thomas Edison.| Provides context and examples of successful individuals. |
| Allusions to famous investors like Warren Buffett. | Illustrates principles with well-known examples. |
| Mentions of economic events like the Great Depression.| Adds historical context to financial lessons. |

Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Early lessons hinting at future success.	Creates anticipation for Kiyosaki’s financial journey.
Rich Dad’s advice about opportunities.	Suggests future opportunities and successes.
Initial struggles leading to eventual achievements.	Builds a narrative of growth and learning.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad – FAQs

What is the main message of Rich Dad, Poor Dad?

The main message is the importance of financial education and the difference between assets and liabilities in achieving financial success.

Who are the two fathers in Rich Dad, Poor Dad?

The two fathers are Kiyosaki’s biological father (Poor Dad) and the father of his best friend (Rich Dad).

How does Kiyosaki define assets and liabilities?

Assets put money in your pocket, while liabilities take money out of your pocket.

Why does Kiyosaki emphasize the importance of financial education?

He believes that financial education is crucial for achieving financial independence and avoiding common money pitfalls.

What is the Cash Flow Quadrant?

The Cash Flow Quadrant is a model that describes the four types of people in the world of business: Employees, Self-Employed, Business Owners, and Investors.

How does Kiyosaki suggest one should start building wealth?

He suggests starting by acquiring financial education, investing in assets, and understanding the difference between assets and liabilities.

What role does real estate play in the book?

Real estate is highlighted as a significant investment opportunity that can generate passive income.

What does Kiyosaki mean by “mind your own business”?

He means focusing on building and managing your personal financial portfolio and not solely relying on employment for income.

Why is entrepreneurship emphasized in the book?

Entrepreneurship is emphasized as a path to financial freedom and wealth creation.

What are the benefits of passive income according to Kiyosaki?

Passive income allows financial freedom, as it is money earned with minimal effort, providing stability and opportunities for further investment.

Quiz

Question	Option A	Option B	Option C	Option D
What is the primary lesson Kiyosaki learns from his Rich Dad?	Save money	Get a good job	Invest in assets	Avoid debt
Who is the “Poor Dad” in Kiyosaki’s life?	His uncle	His biological father	His teacher	His neighbor
What does Kiyosaki emphasize as the key to financial success?	Education	Job security	Financial literacy	Networking
Which type of income does Kiyosaki advocate for in the book?	Active income	Passive income	Government benefits	Lottery winnings
What is an example of an asset according to Kiyosaki?	Car	House mortgage	Investment property	Credit card debt
What does Kiyosaki mean by “The rat race”?	The stock market	Traditional employment	A competitive sport	School exams
What is the Cash Flow Quadrant used for?	Career planning	Investment strategy	Financial management	Describing income sources
Why is real estate important in the book?	It’s easy to buy	It’s tax-free	It can generate passive income	It’s always profitable
What lesson does Kiyosaki learn from his first job?	Hard work pays off	Education is key	Entrepreneurship is risky	Financial literacy is crucial
What does “mind your own business” mean in the context of the book?	Focus on gossip	Manage personal finances	Start a small business	Get a job

Exercise

Spot the Literary Devices

“Robert’s Rich Dad often said, ‘Money is a tool. Just like a hammer, it can build things or destroy things depending on how you use it.’ This simple analogy stuck with Robert throughout his life, reminding him of the power of financial literacy.”

Answers:

Metaphor: “Money is a tool.”
Analogy: Comparing money to a hammer.
Repetition: “Reminding him of the power of financial literacy.”