# IV explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## What happens

The chapter depicts the escalating conflict within the Dryfoos family. Christine confronts her father about his interference with Beaton, violently returning his gifts. Later, Dryfoos confronts Conrad at the magazine office about his sympathies for the striking workers, culminating in Dryfoos striking Conrad, who bears the wound with grieving dignity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Generational Conflict

The chapter centers on the violent clash between Dryfoos and his children, Christine and Conrad, over authority, values, and personal autonomy.

### Labor and Social Justice

Conrad's defense of the striking workers and Dryfoos's vehement opposition highlight the deep divide over labor rights and economic justice.

### Capitalism and Moral Compromise

Dryfoos's obsession with stock market gains contrasts with his brutal treatment of his family and his contempt for the working class.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Dryfoos

Furious with Christine for defying him and with Conrad for his pro-labor sympathies; strikes Conrad in anger.

### Christine Dryfoos

Confronts her father about his interference with Beaton and violently returns all his gifts.

### Conrad Dryfoos

Defends the striking workers' cause to his father, is struck and wounded, but remains calm and sorrowful.

### Mrs. Mandel

Present at the breakfast confrontation; is verbally attacked by Christine and fears for her safety.

### Fulkerson

Not present in the chapter; his office is empty when Dryfoos visits.

### Angus Beaton

Referenced as the reason for Christine's anger; his ring is among the objects returned.

## Key lines

> As long as you eat my bread, you have got to do as I say. I won’t have my children telling me what I shall do and shan’t do, or take on airs of being holier than me.

Dryfoos asserts his absolute authority over Conrad, demanding obedience in exchange for financial support.

_Reveals Dryfoos's patriarchal control and the generational conflict over moral and political beliefs._

> I think a strike is always bad business. It’s war; but sometimes there don’t seem any other way for the workingmen to get justice.

Conrad acknowledges the harm of strikes but sympathizes with workers who see no alternative for achieving fair treatment.

_Shows Conrad's nuanced, empathetic view of labor struggles, in stark contrast to his father's harsh stance._

> He lifted his hand and struck his son in the face. Conrad caught his hand with his own left, and, while the blood began to trickle from a wound that Christine’s intaglio ring had made in his temple, he looked at him with a kind of grieving wonder, and said, “Father!”

Dryfoos physically strikes Conrad, who is wounded by his sister's ring; Conrad responds not with anger but with sorrowful surprise.

_The physical violence and Conrad's gentle reaction underscore the tragic breakdown of familial bonds._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-iv
- 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