Lenin viewed rentier states (rentnerstaat), or usurer states, as a form of imperialism. For instance, the usurer claims to not have money to pay the ferryman's fee. Their efforts are challenged by a northern usurer and devious northern capitalists. The Grand Duke is trying to hide from usurer Marcowitz who demands debt repayment. He lives as an usurer under the name "Count Ray Balzac Courland". She turns to the usurer Jean-Esther van Gobseck for financial assistance.