Fred Gross Stories · Chapter
The Swift Six explained
Fred writes to Brother Charley about his New Year's resolution to save money and pay off the mortgage.
What happens
Fred writes to Brother Charley about his New Year's resolution to save money and pay off the mortgage. He describes his financial discipline, Grace's desire for a piano, and his growing interest in buying a car. He eventually makes a down payment on a Swift Six automobile, but later reflects on the practicality of a piano over a car.
Themes in this chapter
Financial Struggle and Debt
Fred's New Year's resolution to save money and pay off the mortgage, and his concern about meeting the next interest payment.
Consumerism and Materialism
Fred's desire to buy a Swift Six automobile and Grace's desire for a piano, both representing material aspirations.
Characters to notice
- Fred A. Gross
Narrator; resolves to save money, buys a Swift Six, later jokes about piano vs. car.
- Grace Charley
Fred's wife; wants a piano, gives Fred $600 to save, reluctant about spending on a car.
- Brother Charley
Fred's brother; recipient of the letters.
- Alec Welsh
Friend who owns a car and encourages Fred to buy one.
Key passages
“Well Charley the New Yrs. is starting in and I feel some how like its going to be a lucky yr. for me and Im going to try and do my best to make it lucky.”
Fred feels optimistic about the new year and is determined to make it prosperous.
Opening of the chapter, setting a hopeful tone.
“I got some thing over $600.00 salted away and they wont be another paymunt on the house dew till July and nothing to pay between then and now but regular expences that a man can pay out of your salery if you dont make a monkey out of yourself.”
Fred has saved over $600 and has no major payments due until July, so he can cover regular expenses from his salary if he is careful.
Highlights Fred's financial planning and savings.
“I guess you dont know much about cars Charley but you must of herd of the kind I got. Its a Swift Six and the name tells you how fast it can go but you wouldent need no name to tell you if you seen it spin up and down Mich. ave.”
Fred explains that he bought a Swift Six, a fast car, and that its speed is evident when driving on Michigan Avenue.
Introduces the car purchase and its perceived prestige.
“Theys a hole lot of things Charley that makes a piano better then a auto mobile and 1 thing is that you can leave all the keys on the piano and go in a salloon and they wont nobody steal the piano and you can put your ft. down as hard is you want to on the peddle with out unchargeing no baterys and you dont half to buy no license for it and dont half to buy new tires for it and you can leave it any wheres all night and it will start up next a.m.”
Fred humorously lists the advantages of a piano over a car, such as not needing a license, tires, or worrying about theft.
Shows Fred's changing perspective and humor about his purchases.