John is another charecter whose materialistic approach to life comes to the fore.
He comes to Gray's to buy Fanny a trinket. On meeting his sisters he's anxious to be introudced to their well off and titled connections;
' your friend Mrs Jennings. I understand she is a woman of very good fortune....'

John calls next day where he's curious of Colonel Brandon,
'he only wanted to know him to be rich to be equally civil to him.'
He wrongly guesses Brandon wants to marry Elinor and asks the worth of his fortune.
Of course, John is delighted to meet Sir John and Lady Middleton. He considers Lady M a most elegant woman who Fanny will be glad to know.

John is glad their relations give his sisters and step-mother accomodation while he gives no assistance. He talks of the large purchases of linen and china 'to supply the place of 'what was taken away', the plans for Fanny's greenhouse and his purchase of a farm -and then comments,
'You may guess, after all these expenses, how veryfar we must be from being rich.'

John always self-justifies his attitude to wealth.

No wonder Elinor's mild pleasure at seeing John after several months is soon overtaken by a distate for John's hypocrisy and snobbery.