# III explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

> Chapter companion for A Hazard of New Fortunes by William Dean Howells.

## What happens

March and Fulkerson discuss the ongoing streetcar strike, with Fulkerson excitedly following the news and March taking a more philosophical view. March observes the strike's impact on the city and reflects on the public's powerlessness. The conversation touches on Lindau's absence and the possibility of featuring the strike in Every Other Week.

## Themes in this chapter

### Labor and Social Justice

The strike is central to the chapter, exploring the rights of workers versus corporations and the public's lack of recourse.

### Capitalism and Moral Compromise

Fulkerson's commercial enthusiasm for the strike as magazine material contrasts with March's philosophical critique of private wars fought at public expense.

## Character check-ins

### Basil March

Engages in philosophical discussion about the strike, observes the city's response, and reflects on Lindau's renunciation.

### Fulkerson

Enthusiastically follows strike news, proposes articles for Every Other Week, and discusses Lindau and Colonel Woodburn.

### Mr. Lindau

Mentioned as having renounced March along with Dryfoos's money; Fulkerson speculates on his reaction to the strike.

### Angus Beaton

Briefly mentioned as a potential collaborator for strike coverage.

### Colonel Woodburn

Referenced for his paternalistic views on seizing the roads during strikes.

### Mrs. March

Mentioned as enforcing safety precautions to keep March away from crowds.

## Key lines

> The roads and the strikers are allowed to fight out a private war in our midst—as thoroughly and precisely a private war as any we despise the Middle Ages for having tolerated—as any street war in Florence or Verona—and to fight it out at our pains and expense, and we stand by like sheep and wait till they get tired.

March observes that the public passively endures the strike as if it were a private conflict, bearing the costs while having no say.

_Highlights March's critique of societal indifference and the powerlessness of the public._

> I suppose you'll be glad when this cruel war is over.

March attempts to engage a policeman with a lighthearted remark about the strike.

_Shows March's attempt at humor and the officer's grim response, reflecting the tension._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters