Kate Plus 10 · Chapter
XVI: On the Unmorality of Professional Thieves explained
The Crime Street gang holds a shareholders' meeting in the abandoned Boltover's Cement Works.
What happens
The Crime Street gang holds a shareholders' meeting in the abandoned Boltover's Cement Works. Kate argues passionately against the gang's plan to 'settle down' with their ill-gotten gains, defending her life of crime as an art and a truth. Gregori and the Colonel try to persuade her, but she remains defiant. The chapter ends with the captured and bound Michael Pretherston being brought before the gang.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Morality
Kate argues that her life of crime is a moral truth and that the police are right in their way, but so is she, highlighting a conflict between criminal and societal morality.
Wealth and Greed
The gang's desire to 'settle down' with their stolen money contrasts with Kate's view that the game itself, not the prize, is worthwhile.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Kate threatens to betray the gang by burgling their homes after they settle down, and the gang discusses calling the police on her, revealing fragile loyalties.
Characters to notice
- Kate Westhanger
Defends her criminal life as an art and truth, refuses to settle down, and argues with the gang about their plans.
- Señor Gregori
Leads the discussion about settling down, tries to persuade Kate to quit crime, and later captures Michael.
- The Colonel
Kate's uncle, supports Gregori's plan to settle down and tries to reason with Kate.
- Michael Pretherston
Captured, gagged, and bound by Doctor Garon, brought before the gang at the end of the chapter.
- Francis Stockmar
A gang member who judges success by money, scowls at Kate's defiance.
- Mr. Cunningham
A gang member who agrees with the plan to settle down and expects police protection if robbed.
Key passages
“I have not been in this, in all these things for money. I told Michael Pretherston so and he believed me.”
Kate claims she participated in criminal activities not for financial gain but for the thrill, and that Michael Pretherston understood this.
Kate reveals her motivation is not greed but the excitement of the game.
“I believe I have the right to match my wits against the world and take, by my intelligence, what the old robber barons took by brutal strength.”
Kate asserts her belief that using her intelligence to take from the world is justified, comparing herself to historical robber barons who used force.
Kate articulates her personal philosophy justifying her criminal life.
“You will never meet a man who believes in stealing, who believes in fraud and who will go on so believing, until he is an old man.”
Gregori tells Kate that no man will share her lifelong commitment to crime, implying she will be alone.
Gregori challenges Kate's idealism, suggesting her path leads to isolation.