Character Analysis
Ben Hockett is the former Deutsche Bank trader who helps Charles and Jamie navigate the channels of Wall Street power. It would be impossible for them to make their dough without him.
Interestingly, he balances his financial expertise with a deeply pessimistic perspective. For example, he talks a lot about the impending collapse of society, which he predicts will occur in the near future. Check it:
Ben had bought a small farm in the country, north of San Francisco, in a remote place without road access, planted with fruit and vegetables sufficient to feed his family, on the off chance of the end of the world as we know it. (5.24)
Sounds a little extreme, sure, but after the subprime-pocalypse, we're not exactly super confident in the whole "stability of society" deal, either. Got a spare room, buddy?