# Chapter XIV explained — An American Tragedy

> Chapter companion for An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Clyde's infatuation with Hortense Briggs deepens, leading him to reflect on the consequences of sexual relationships in light of his sister Esta's plight. He rationalizes his own desires while hardening his judgment of Esta. Meanwhile, Hortense, aware of Clyde's willingness to spend money on her, schemes to manipulate him into buying her an expensive beaver fur coat.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Betrayal

Clyde's infatuation with Hortense and his rationalization of sexual desire contrast with his condemnation of his sister's seduction and abandonment.

### Social Class and Ambition

Hortense's desire for the fur coat reflects her ambition to improve her social standing through material possessions and manipulation.

### The Female Body and Control

Hortense uses her physical attractiveness and calculated resistance to control Clyde's behavior and extract material benefits.

## Character check-ins

### Clyde Griffiths

Becomes more preoccupied with Hortense Briggs and the problem of the sexes; his attitude toward his sister Esta hardens as he rationalizes his own desires.

### Hortense Briggs

Clyde's object of infatuation; she is vain, manipulative, and calculating, considering how to use Clyde to obtain a fur coat.

### Esta Griffiths

Clyde's sister who eloped and was deserted; Clyde reflects on her situation with a mix of condemnation and hardening judgment.

### Doris Trine

A shop girl and friend of Hortense; she accompanies Hortense when she sees the fur coat in the window.

### Bert Gettler

Mentioned as a former escort of Hortense; a shoe salesman who is too careful with money to be useful to her.

## Key lines

> The result of all this on Clyde was to cause him to think more specifically on the problem of the sexes than he ever had before, and by no means in any orthodox way.

Clyde began to think about sex in a more focused and unconventional manner.

_Clyde's reflections on sexuality are shaped by his sister's situation and his own desires._

> She seemed, after his few contacts with her, to be really the perfect realization of all that he had previously wished for in a girl.

Hortense appeared to Clyde as the ideal girl he had always dreamed of.

_Clyde's infatuation with Hortense is idealized and intense._

> It caused him, actually, to feel weak and dizzy, at times, cruelly seared in his veins with minute and wriggling threads of fire, and this could only be described as conscious lust.

His attraction to her made him feel physically weak and feverish, a clear sign of lust.

_Clyde's physical reaction to Hortense is described in vivid, sensual terms._

> Bring me a hundred and fifteen dollars any time within the next few days—Monday or Wednesday or Friday, if the coat is still here, and you can have it.

The shopkeeper offers to hold the coat for Hortense if she can bring $115 within a few days.

_Hortense is tempted by the coat and begins to scheme how to get the money from Clyde._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters