IX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Labor and Social Justice

  The chapter deals with the consequences of the strike, Lindau's death, and the sacrifice of Conrad Dryfoos, emphasizing the human cost of labor conflict.

• Family and Generational Conflict

  Fulkerson and March discuss the strained relationship between Dryfoos and his son Conrad, highlighting the conflict between business and personal convictions.

Characters to notice

• Fulkerson

  Fulkerson shares his anxiety about Dryfoos's plans and reflects on Conrad's death and Lindau's condition.

• Basil March

  March discusses the future with Fulkerson and visits Lindau in the hospital, witnessing his final moments.

• Mr. Lindau

  Lindau is dying in the hospital, attended by Margaret Vance, and is beyond recognition.

• Margaret Vance

  Margaret Vance is kneeling beside Lindau's deathbed, holding his hand and praying.

• Conrad Dryfoos

  Conrad is remembered as having been killed in the strike, and his death is discussed as a loss.

Key passages

• “I don't believe he ever budged a hairsbreadth from his original position about wanting to be a preacher and not wanting to be a businessman.”

  Conrad never changed his mind about wanting to be a preacher instead of a businessman.

  Fulkerson explains Conrad's steadfastness to March.

• “Think of throwing away a precious creature like Coonrod Dryfoos on one chance in a thousand of getting that old fool of a Lindau out of the way of being clubbed!”

  It seems wasteful that Conrad died trying to save Lindau from being beaten.

  Fulkerson reflects on the seeming pointlessness of Conrad's death.

• “He's just going.”

  Lindau is about to die.

  The doctor informs March of Lindau's imminent death.