# VI explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## What happens

In the aftermath of Conrad Dryfoos's death, the Marches and Fulkerson leave the Dryfoos home after helping with arrangements. Mrs. March reflects on her husband's role, while March muses on human endurance and death. The Dryfoos family struggles to cope, with the mother confused and the father remaining to keep vigil over his son's body. The chapter ends with Dryfoos and his wife viewing Conrad's corpse, where Dryfoos breaks down upon seeing the wound.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Generational Conflict

The Dryfoos family's grief is compounded by the loss of Conrad, the son who represented a different path from his father's materialistic values.

### Labor and Social Justice

Conrad's death in a streetcar strike and Lindau's injury highlight the violent consequences of labor unrest and social injustice.

## Character check-ins

### Basil March

Helps the Dryfoos family after Conrad's death; reflects philosophically on human endurance and death.

### Mrs. March

Shares in the cares of the night; feels proud of her husband's role and rebukes him for his remarks.

### Fulkerson

Assists with arrangements; is cheerful after leaving the house; informs March about Lindau's amputation.

### Mr. Dryfoos

Grieving father who stays to keep vigil over Conrad's body; breaks down upon seeing the wound.

### Mela Dryfoos

Tends to her mother with patience; helps get her to bed.

### Mrs. Dryfoos

Confused and grieving; insists on setting up with the body; later comes down to view Conrad.

## Key lines

> We are creatures of the moment; we live from one little space to another; and only one interest at a time fills these.

Humans live in the present, focusing on one thing at a time, which helps us cope with tragedy.

_March reflects on how people compartmentalize grief._

> I suppose that nothing is put on us that we can't bear. But I should think that when God sees what we poor finite creatures can bear, hemmed round with this eternal darkness of death, He must respect us.

March suggests that human endurance in the face of death earns divine respect.

_March's philosophical musing on human strength._

> He broke into a low, wavering cry, like a child's in despair, like an animal's in terror, like a soul's in the anguish of remorse.

Dryfoos let out a trembling cry of despair, terror, and guilt.

_Dryfoos's emotional breakdown upon seeing Conrad's wound._

## Links

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