# V explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## What happens

Fulkerson informs March about Dryfoos's plan for a preliminary dinner at his house to discuss the upcoming banquet for Every Other Week. Dryfoos wants to invite Lindau as a compliment for his service to the country, but March objects, fearing ideological clashes between Lindau and Dryfoos. Fulkerson reveals Lindau has already accepted. March and his wife discuss the potential disaster, with March humorously noting the incongruous mix of personalities the dinner will bring together. Fulkerson struggles to manage Dryfoos's stubbornness over dinner arrangements, including the caterer and service.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Mobility

Colonel Woodburn's hesitation to dine with Dryfoos due to his wealth, and March's concerns about Lindau's principles clashing with Dryfoos's nouveau riche status, underscore class divisions and moral judgments about money.

### Capitalism and Moral Compromise

Dryfoos's wealth from speculation is questioned by Woodburn and Lindau, reflecting the era's debate over the ethics of capitalist accumulation.

### Urban vs. Rural Life

The contrast between Dryfoos's rural origins and his new urban wealth is implicit in his awkwardness with social customs like hiring a caterer.

## Character check-ins

### Basil March

Objects to Lindau being invited to Dryfoos's dinner, fearing ideological conflict; humorously reflects on the diverse personalities at the event.

### Fulkerson

Arranges the dinner and defends Dryfoos's integrity; struggles with Dryfoos's stubbornness over catering and service details.

### Mr. Dryfoos

Insists on hosting the dinner at his house and wants to invite Lindau; shows pride and suspicion in planning the event.

### Mr. Lindau

Has accepted the dinner invitation despite March's concerns about his principles clashing with Dryfoos's wealth.

### Colonel Woodburn

Initially hesitates to accept Dryfoos's hospitality due to moral qualms about wealth, but eventually agrees.

### Mrs. March

Criticizes Fulkerson's decision to invite Lindau and expresses distrust in March's ability to handle the situation.

## Key lines

> I don’t say that Mr. Dryfoos’s good-fortune is not honest. I simply say that I know nothing about it, and that I should prefer to know something before I sat down at his board.

Colonel Woodburn does not accuse Dryfoos of dishonesty, but he feels uneasy accepting his hospitality without knowing the source of his wealth.

_Highlights the moral scrutiny of new money in Gilded Age society._

> I don’t believe there’s another publication in New York that could bring together, in honor of itself, a fraternity and equality crank like poor old Lindau, and a belated sociological crank like Woodburn, and a truculent speculator like old Dryfoos, and a humanitarian dreamer like young Dryfoos, and a sentimentalist like me, and a nondescript like Beaton, and a pure advertising essence like Fulkerson, and a society spirit like Kendricks.

March humorously lists the diverse and conflicting personalities that the dinner will unite, predicting both comedy and tension.

_Illustrates the novel's central theme of clashing worldviews within a single enterprise._

## Links

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