# IX explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## What happens

Fulkerson and March discuss the aftermath of Conrad Dryfoos's death and its impact on Mr. Dryfoos, reflecting on the fragility of life and the seeming waste of a good man. March then visits Lindau in the hospital, where he finds him dying, attended by Margaret Vance.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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