A Hazard of New Fortunes · Chapter
IX explained
Fulkerson brings Beaton to the Dryfoos home, where he lightens the mood with jokes and introduces Beaton to examine Christine's ring.
What happens
Fulkerson brings Beaton to the Dryfoos home, where he lightens the mood with jokes and introduces Beaton to examine Christine's ring. Afterward, Fulkerson walks with the Marches to the Elevated station and explains how he invented Mrs. Mandel's role as a social guide for the Dryfoos family, describing their raw manners and his efforts to polish them.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Mobility
The Dryfoos family's raw manners and Fulkerson's efforts to polish them through Mrs. Mandel highlight the challenges of social climbing.
Urban vs. Rural Life
The contrast between the Dryfooses' rural origins and their new urban life in New York is evident in their behavior and Fulkerson's comments.
Characters to notice
- Fulkerson
Arrives with Beaton, jokes with the Dryfoos family, and later explains Mrs. Mandel's role to the Marches.
- Angus Beaton
Brought by Fulkerson to examine Christine's ring; behaves with solemn pride.
- Basil March
Attends the gathering with his wife and later discusses Beaton and Mrs. Mandel with Fulkerson.
- Mrs. March
Accompanies March, comments on Beaton's conceit, and listens to Fulkerson's story about Mrs. Mandel.
- Christine Dryfoos
Shows her ring to Beaton and feels a thrill of exultation at his attention.
- Mela Dryfoos
Enjoys Fulkerson's teasing and feels she has figured brilliantly in society.
Key passages
“I don't know anybody that I have such a desire to kick, and at the same time that I want to flatter up so much.”
Fulkerson admits he feels both irritation and a wish to praise Beaton.
Fulkerson's ambivalence toward Beaton's character.
“She was a born lady, and always lived like one till she saw Mandel; and that something academic that killed her for a writer was just the very thing for them.”
Mrs. Mandel's refined background and academic style, which hindered her writing career, make her ideal for teaching the Dryfooses social graces.
Fulkerson explains why Mrs. Mandel is suited to polish the Dryfoos family.