A Hazard of New Fortunes · Chapter
IV explained
The chapter explores the dynamics at the Every Other Week office, focusing on Beaton's difficult personality, March's interactions with Dryfoos and Lindau, and Lindau's passionate critiques of capitalism and American society.
What happens
The chapter explores the dynamics at the Every Other Week office, focusing on Beaton's difficult personality, March's interactions with Dryfoos and Lindau, and Lindau's passionate critiques of capitalism and American society. It also follows the Dryfoos family's summer in Saratoga, where Christine grows restless and fixated on Beaton's absence.
Themes in this chapter
Capitalism and Moral Compromise
Lindau's passionate denunciation of capital and monopolies, and March's internal conflict about Lindau sharing in profits from Dryfoos's speculation, highlight the moral compromises inherent in capitalism.
Social Class and Mobility
The Dryfoos family's struggle to fit into Saratoga society, their reliance on Fulkerson, and Christine's belief that her father's money can attract Beaton illustrate class dynamics and aspirations.
Immigration and Cultural Diversity
Lindau's German accent and his radical political views, rooted in his immigrant background, contrast with the American ideals he critiques, emphasizing cultural and ideological diversity.
Characters to notice
- Angus Beaton
Beaton's contrary nature and difficult personality are discussed; he is described as vain, offensive, fickle, sullen, and simple.
- Basil March
March reflects on Beaton's character, interacts with Dryfoos and Lindau, and manages Lindau's insistence on cash payment for his work.
- Mr. Dryfoos
Dryfoos takes a formal leave of March, speaks civilly about the magazine, and reveals his hope that his son Conrad will become involved in the magazine.
- Mr. Lindau
Lindau delivers copy, insists on cash payment, engages in heated debates with Fulkerson about capitalism, and renounces his pension out of political principle.
- Fulkerson
Fulkerson manages Beaton by asking the reverse of what he wants, and engages in provocative debates with Lindau about wealth and capitalism.
- Christine Dryfoos
Christine is in Saratoga with her family, restless and fixated on Beaton's absence; she believes he admires her and that her father's money makes her desirable.
Key passages
“I ton't desbise you, I bity you.”
Lindau tells Fulkerson that he does not despise him, but pities him.
Lindau's response to Fulkerson's provocation about being a slave of capital.
“Dere iss no Ameriga anymore! You start here free and brafe, and you glaim for efery man de right to life, liperty, and de bursuit of habbiness. And vhere haf you entedt? No man that vorks vith his handts among you has the liperty to bursue his habbiness.”
Lindau declares that America no longer exists as a free country, arguing that working men are enslaved by the rich and cannot pursue happiness.
Lindau's critique of the betrayal of American ideals by capitalism.
“vhere you find gabidal, millions of money that a man hass cot togeder in fife, ten, tventy years, you findt the smell of tears and ploodt!”
Lindau asserts that great fortunes are always built on exploitation and suffering.
Lindau's radical view of capital as inherently corrupt.
“I renounce my bension, begause I would sgorn to dake money from a gofernment that I ton't peliefe in anymore.”
Lindau explains that he gave up his pension because he refuses to accept money from a government he no longer believes in.
Lindau's principled rejection of his pension due to political disillusionment.
