# III: Thrift—and the Child explained — Chance

> Chapter companion for Chance by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

Marlow recounts the sudden and total financial ruin of de Barral, describing how his entire fortune vanished within twenty-four hours, leaving him destitute. The chapter explores the public perception of de Barral as a symbol of 'Thrift' and his personal helplessness, as well as the neglect and death of his wife, and the governess's exploitation of the situation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Wealth

The sudden reversal of fortune and the precariousness of wealth, as well as the social standing of the de Barral family.

### Family and Parental Failure

De Barral's neglect of his wife and daughter, and the governess's exploitation, highlight the failure of parental care.

### Deception and Illusion

The public perception of de Barral as a promoter of thrift is contrasted with his actual helplessness and the fraudulent nature of his schemes.

## Character check-ins

### Marlow

Narrates the story of de Barral's downfall, reflecting on the nature of the man and the social context.

### Fyne

Provides Marlow with the narrative of de Barral's financial collapse and its aftermath.

### de Barral

His financial empire collapses, leaving him destitute and helpless, unable to care for his daughter.

### Flora de Barral

The child affected by the ruin and her mother's death, left in the care of a governess.

### Mrs. de Barral

Dies from neglect at the Priory, having been abandoned by her husband.

### Mr. Smith

The governess who exploits de Barral's wealth and neglects Flora.

## Key lines

> perhaps; but that everything was over in just twenty-four hours is an exact statement.

The complete financial ruin occurred within a single day.

_Highlights the suddenness of de Barral's downfall._

> He was a mere sign, a portent. There was nothing in him.

De Barral was an empty symbol of the times, lacking substance.

_Marlow's assessment of de Barral's character._

> She was wrong. He came to the funeral, was extremely cut up, and holding the child tightly by the hand wept bitterly at the side of the grave.

Despite his neglect, de Barral showed grief at his wife's funeral, clinging to his daughter.

_Contrasts his emotional display with his previous abandonment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/chance_se/chapters/iii-thrift-and-the-child
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/chance_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/chance_se/chapters