In the book "American Pastoral" by Philip Roth, the author explores the disconnect between affluent liberals and the realities faced by everyday people. The character expresses a deep frustration towards wealthy individuals who, despite their good intentions, lack a genuine understanding of the struggles and challenges that exist outside their privileged lives.

This realization highlights a critical theme in the narrative: the illusion of enlightenment among the rich, who often remain oblivious to the true nature of societal issues. Roth's commentary suggests that wealth can create a barrier to truly understanding the complexities of the world, ultimately leading to misguided perspectives on social realities.