# Chapter X explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## What happens

March struggles to inform Dryfoos of Lindau's death, while Dryfoos expresses remorse for his past treatment of Lindau and a desire to make amends, revealing his grief over his son Conrad's death and his wish to honor Conrad's memory.

## Themes in this chapter

### Capitalism and Moral Compromise

Dryfoos's regret over his treatment of Lindau and his acknowledgment of 'dog eat dog' business practices illustrate the moral compromises inherent in capitalism.

### Family and Generational Conflict

Dryfoos's grief over Conrad's death and his realization that he crossed his son in matters of belief highlight the generational conflict between father and son.

### Labor and Social Justice

Lindau's advocacy for government intervention and workers' rights, contrasted with Dryfoos's laissez-faire views, underscores the theme of labor and social justice.

## Character check-ins

### Basil March

March is burdened with telling Dryfoos that Lindau has died, and reflects on his own guilt and his wife's likely reaction.

### Mr. Dryfoos

Dryfoos seeks to apologize to Lindau for his outburst at the dinner, driven by grief over his son Conrad's death and a desire to do what Conrad would have wanted.

### Mr. Lindau

Lindau has died from injuries sustained in the strike, though Dryfoos is initially unaware of this.

### Conrad Dryfoos

Conrad's death and his diary of thoughts about Lindau's ideas haunt Dryfoos, motivating his wish to reconcile.

### Fulkerson

Fulkerson is mentioned as having informed Dryfoos about Lindau's amputation.

## Key lines

> I wasn’t very good to him, I reckon; I crossed him where I guess I got no business to cross him; but I thought everything of—Coonrod.

Dryfoos admits he was not kind to Conrad and interfered in ways he should not have, but he loved him deeply.

_Dryfoos expresses remorse for his treatment of his son._

> I don’t know as I understand much about his opinions, anyway; but I ain’t ready to say I want the men dependent on me to manage my business for me.

Dryfoos admits he does not fully grasp Lindau's views but is unwilling to let his workers dictate how he runs his business.

_Dryfoos reveals his resistance to labor influence in management._

> As for the game I came on them, it was dog eat dog, anyway.

Dryfoos characterizes his competitive business tactics as ruthless and survivalist.

_Dryfoos inadvertently condemns his own actions in terms Lindau would agree with._

## Links

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