rack rent (noun)

1. The painting depicted the harsh reality of poverty through the symbolism of families struggling to pay rack rent.

2. In the parable, the wealthy landlord charged rack rent to the tenants, demonstrating the unequal treatment and exploitation of the poor.

3. The old haunted mansion was said to be cursed, with previous owners being driven to madness after being burdened with exorbitant rack rent.

4. In the animated series, the villainous character imposed rack rent on the innocent townspeople, causing their homes to crumble under the weight of financial hardship.