# VII explained — An American Tragedy > Chapter companion for An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. ## What happens Clyde Griffiths begins his new job as a bellhop at the Green-Davidson Hotel, earning far more money than he ever has before. He is introduced to the luxurious, morally ambiguous world of the hotel and its staff, including the charismatic and worldly bellhops Ratterer, Hegglund, and Doyle. Through their conversations, Clyde learns about the hotel's clientele, including wealthy women who pursue young men, and the permissive, pleasure-seeking ethos of his new peers. The chapter establishes the powerful influence of this environment on Clyde's developing ambitions and desires. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Ambition Clyde's sudden access to money and the luxurious hotel environment fuels his ambition to rise above his humble origins. He is acutely aware of the class divide between the wealthy guests and the working boys, and he yearns to partake in the luxury he sees. ### Seduction and Betrayal The chapter introduces the theme of seduction through the wealthy woman who pursues young men, and the general atmosphere of illicit relationships. The bellhops' gossip about her and others highlights the transactional and deceptive nature of these encounters. ### Hypocrisy of Religion and Morality The Green-Davidson's luxurious, morally permissive environment stands in stark contrast to Clyde's earlier religious upbringing. The hotel's clientele and staff openly engage in behavior that would be condemned by the street-preaching Griffiths family, yet it is presented as normal and desirable. ## Character check-ins ### Clyde Griffiths Begins work as a bellhop at the Green-Davidson, earning over six dollars on his first night. He is thrilled by the money and the luxurious environment, and is fascinated by the other bellhops and their stories. ### Thomas Ratterer A short, stocky, good-looking bellhop who befriends Clyde. He points out a wealthy woman who pursues young men, and shares gossip about the hotel's clientele. ### Oscar Hegglund An older, experienced bellhop with a genial and devil-may-care attitude. He is influential among the staff and introduces Clyde to the work. He has a friend who can borrow cars for outings. ### Ed Swenk Referred to as 'young Swenk' in the text, he is one of the bellhops who appears to take over shifts. ### Larry Doyle A very handsome and well-dressed bellhop whom Clyde admires and is slightly jealous of. He is noted for his grace and ease with guests. ### Arthur Kinsella A short, thick, smooth-faced bellhop, reported to be a wizard at gambling. He continues Hegglund's instructions for Clyde. ## Key lines > He could scarcely believe it. It seemed fantastic, Aladdinish, really. Clyde found his new earnings almost unbelievable, as if he had stumbled into a magical, fairy-tale world. _Reflects Clyde's astonishment at the ease with which he earns money at the hotel, contrasting with his previous poverty._ > And so, of all the influences which might have come to Clyde at this time, either as an aid or an injury to his development, perhaps the most dangerous for him, considering his temperament, was this same Green-Davidson The narrator suggests that the Green-Davidson Hotel, with its luxury and moral laxity, is the most perilous influence for a young man of Clyde's impressionable nature. _Foreshadows the corrupting influence the hotel will have on Clyde's character and choices._ > The talk and the palaver that went on in the lobby and the grill, to say nothing of the restaurants and rooms, were sufficient to convince any inexperienced and none-too-discerning mind that the chief business of life for anyone with a little money or social position was to attend a theater, a ballgame in season, or to dance, motor, entertain friends at dinner, or to travel to New York, Europe, Chicago, California. The constant chatter in the hotel convinced naive observers that the main purpose of life for the wealthy was endless entertainment and travel. _Illustrates how the hotel's atmosphere shapes Clyde's values, prioritizing pleasure and status over work or morality._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/vii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters