# V explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## What happens

Conrad Dryfoos encounters Miss Vance, who passionately expresses her sympathy for the striking workers. Inspired by her words, Conrad resolves to intervene in the labor conflict. He witnesses a violent confrontation between police and strikers, where he sees Lindau being clubbed. Conrad is fatally shot, and March discovers his body alongside the injured Lindau.

## Themes in this chapter

### Labor and Social Justice

The strike and its violent suppression highlight the struggle between workers seeking justice and the forces of capital and authority.

### Family and Generational Conflict

Conrad's sympathy for the strikers contrasts with his father's views, and his thoughts of reconciliation with his father are cut short by his death.

## Character check-ins

### Conrad Dryfoos

Conrad meets Miss Vance, feels inspired by her sympathy for the strikers, and resolves to help. He is shot and killed during the riot.

### Margaret Vance

Miss Vance stops Conrad in the street, expressing her anguish over the strike and her admiration for the workers' sacrifice.

### Mr. Lindau

Lindau is seen shouting at the police during the riot and is clubbed by an officer, falling unconscious.

### Basil March

March hears the shot, sees Lindau fall, and discovers Conrad's dead body.

## Key lines

> Oh, isn’t it horrible? Must they fail? I saw cars running on all the lines as I came across; it made me sick at heart. Must those brave fellows give in? And everybody seems to hate them so⁠—I can’t bear it.

Miss Vance expresses her distress over the strike, lamenting that the workers might be defeated and that the public seems to despise them.

_Miss Vance's emotional plea reveals her deep sympathy for the strikers and her frustration with public opinion._

> The officer lifted his club, and the old man threw his left arm up to shield his head. Conrad recognized Lindau, and now he saw the empty sleeve dangle in the air over the stump of his wrist.

As a policeman raises his club to strike, Conrad identifies Lindau, whose missing arm is visible as he tries to protect himself.

_This moment underscores Lindau's vulnerability and Conrad's recognition of his old friend just before tragedy strikes._

> Then Conrad fell forward, pierced through the heart by that shot fired from the car.

Conrad is fatally shot in the chest by a bullet from the streetcar.

_Conrad's death is sudden and senseless, a direct consequence of the violent conflict._

## Links

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