A Hazard of New Fortunes · Chapter
XIII explained
March reflects on Lindau's radical views, seeing them as literary rather than deeply considered.
What happens
March reflects on Lindau's radical views, seeing them as literary rather than deeply considered. He contemplates the irony of Lindau working for a magazine funded by Dryfoos, a millionaire he despises. The first issue of Every Other Week is a success, praised for its art and design, though March worries about its commercial viability. Fulkerson aggressively promotes the magazine, leveraging press contacts and even considering using Mrs. March for advertising.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Commerce
The first issue of Every Other Week balances high artistic quality with commercial viability, causing tension between March and Fulkerson.
Capitalism and Moral Compromise
Lindau's radical hatred of millionaires contrasts with his indirect work for Dryfoos, highlighting moral contradictions in capitalism.
Characters to notice
- Basil March
Reflects on Lindau's radicalism and the irony of his working for Dryfoos; feels pride and anxiety about the magazine's first issue.
- Mr. Lindau
His radical views are discussed; he contributes a translation of Dostoyevsky to the first issue.
- Fulkerson
Aggressively promotes the magazine, using press contacts and considering Mrs. March for advertising; proud but worried about the quality being too high.
- Angus Beaton
Praised for his art direction and design of the first issue, including the cover and rough-edge compromise.
- Mr. Dryfoos
Mentioned as the millionaire whose wealth funds the magazine, creating irony with Lindau's presence.
- Mrs. March
Considered by Fulkerson for a tea to promote the magazine; March is surprised she would be willing.
Key passages
“March went away thinking of what Lindau had said, but not for the impersonal significance of his words so much as for the light they cast upon Lindau himself.”
March focused on how Lindau's words revealed his character rather than their broader meaning.
March's personal reflection on Lindau's radicalism.
“The result, March eagerly owned, was better than the literary result, and he foresaw that the number would be sold and praised chiefly for its pictures.”
March admitted the artwork surpassed the writing and predicted the issue's success would come from its illustrations.
March's assessment of the magazine's visual appeal.
“He said that if the tasteful decorativeness of the thing did not kill it with the public outright, its literary excellence would give it the finishing stroke.”
Fulkerson feared the high quality of both design and writing would ruin the magazine's commercial appeal.
Fulkerson's worry about the magazine being too refined for the public.