Brewster’s Millions · Chapter
XXVI: Mutiny explained
Monty announces his plan to extend the yacht cruise to the North Cape, but his guests oppose the idea due to concerns over his extravagant spending.
What happens
Monty announces his plan to extend the yacht cruise to the North Cape, but his guests oppose the idea due to concerns over his extravagant spending. They hold a secret meeting and decide to mutiny, voting to sail back to New York. Monty, feeling betrayed and humiliated, insists on continuing alone, ordering the yacht to drop the guests at a port where they can catch a steamer home while he proceeds to the North Cape.
Themes in this chapter
- Friendship and Loyalty
The guests mutiny out of concern for Monty's financial well-being, while Monty feels betrayed by their lack of loyalty.
- The Absurdity of Wealth
Monty's impulsive plan to extend the cruise to the North Cape highlights the extravagant and reckless use of his fortune.
Characters to notice
- Montgomery Brewster
Announces the North Cape extension, feels depressed by opposition, and ultimately decides to continue alone despite the mutiny.
- Peggy Gray
Reluctantly joins the conspiracy but feels like a traitor; defends Monty's rights and worries about his opinion of her.
- Captain Abner Perry
States he is bound by contract to follow Monty's orders, despite sympathizing with the guests' concerns.
- Mrs. Dan DeMille
Speaks for the women during the meeting and suggests a plan to stop the extension.
- Joe Bragdon
Loyally keeps Monty engaged elsewhere while the mutiny meeting takes place.
Key passages
“Brave as he was in the presence of his friends, in the privacy of his stateroom Monty gave way to the depression that was bearing down upon him.”
Though he put on a brave face around his friends, Monty privately succumbed to the heavy depression weighing on him.
Reveals Monty's internal struggle and vulnerability.
“It is a plain case of mutiny, I take it,”
Monty acknowledges that the guests' organized opposition amounts to a mutiny.
Highlights the central conflict of the chapter.
