# VI explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## What happens

At a dinner party hosted by Dryfoos, the guests engage in a heated debate about capitalism, labor unions, and social responsibility. Lindau and Colonel Woodburn clash over their opposing visions of society, while Fulkerson tries to lighten the mood. The tension reveals the deep ideological divides among the characters, particularly between Dryfoos and Lindau.

## Themes in this chapter

### Capitalism and Moral Compromise

Dryfoos's anti-union stance and Lindau's socialist critique highlight the moral compromises inherent in capitalist systems.

### Labor and Social Justice

Lindau and Colonel Woodburn debate the rights of workers versus the responsibilities of the wealthy, reflecting tensions over social justice.

### Social Class and Mobility

The dinner party brings together characters from different social classes, exposing their conflicting worldviews.

## Character check-ins

### Basil March

Sits next to Lindau at dinner, tries to mediate the conflict, and reflects on the evening's tensions.

### Mr. Lindau

Passionately argues for workers' rights and socialism, clashing with Dryfoos and Colonel Woodburn.

### Mr. Dryfoos

Hosts the dinner, expresses anti-union views, and becomes increasingly uncomfortable with Lindau's rhetoric.

### Fulkerson

Attempts to keep the dinner lighthearted and divert from the political arguments.

### Colonel Woodburn

Advocates for a feudal-like system of responsibility, debating Lindau and Dryfoos.

### Angus Beaton

Makes cynical remarks about labor violence and praises Baudelaire and Maupassant.

### Conrad Dryfoos

Quietly observes the dinner, showing gentle disapproval of the joking about serious subjects.

### Mr. Kendricks

Participates in literary conversation and imagines a fictional strike scenario.

## Key lines

> The working-classes shall be responsible to the leisure class for the support of its dignity in peace, and shall be subject to its command in war.

Colonel Woodburn argues that workers must support the leisure class in peacetime and obey them in war.

_This reflects Woodburn's feudal ideal of social hierarchy._

> The men that undertake to override the laws and paralyze the industries of a country like this generally get left in the end.

Fulkerson suggests that those who break laws and disrupt industry will ultimately fail.

_Fulkerson's comment downplays the power of labor unions._

> If I had my way, there wouldn't be any Brotherhood of Engineers, nor any other kind of labor union in the whole country.

Dryfoos declares he would abolish all labor unions if he could.

_This reveals Dryfoos's hardline anti-union stance._

## Links

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