# XV explained — Hudson River Bracketed > Chapter companion for Hudson River Bracketed by Edith Wharton. ## What happens Vance visits the office of The Hour and meets George Frenside, the literary adviser. Frenside criticizes Vance's poetry but advises him to focus on writing prose. After the interview, Vance reflects on Frenside's advice and submits a short story titled 'One Day,' which is accepted by The Hour for $50. This success inspires Vance to visit the ocean. ## Themes in this chapter ### Artistic Ambition and Creative Struggle Vance's determination to become a writer despite rejection and financial hardship, and his internal conflict over the nature of true literary creation. ### The American Dream and Its Disillusionment Vance's struggle to find his place in New York and his disillusionment with the conventional path to success through journalism. ## Character check-ins ### Vance Weston Visits The Hour office, submits his poetry and later his short story 'One Day' to Frenside. ### George Frenside Literary adviser at The Hour; critiques Vance's poetry and encourages him to write prose. ### Halo Tarrant Mentioned as Miss Spear; Frenside notes she will be glad he found Vance. ### Lewis Tarrant Mentioned as having bought back the stolen books from the Willows. ### Bunty Hayes Referenced as a newspaper man whose approach to writing Vance dislikes. ## Key lines > Buckle down and write. Newspapers won't help you. Focus on writing directly rather than seeking training through journalism. _Frenside's advice to Vance about the only way to become a writer._ > Better go back home and write more like it. Return home and continue writing in the same style as 'One Day'. _Frenside's scrawled note on the acceptance letter for Vance's short story._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xv - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters