# IX explained — A Hazard of New Fortunes

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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