Chapter V explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Loss, Innocence, and the Passage of Time

  Grover's death and Eugene's traumatic experiences at the Fair mark the loss of childhood innocence and the inexorable passage of time.

• The American Dream and Materialism

  Eliza's pursuit of profit through a boardinghouse at the Fair reflects the materialistic drive of the American Dream.

• Family Conflict and Dysfunction

  Gant and Eliza's conflicting views on boardinghouse life and the family's emotional turmoil after Grover's death highlight familial dysfunction.

Characters to notice

• Eliza Gant

  Grieves for Grover, decides to take the family to the St. Louis World's Fair to run a boardinghouse, and weans Eugene.

• Oliver Gant

  Mourns Grover, reluctantly agrees to Eliza's Fair venture, and stays behind in Altamont.

• Eugene Gant

  A three-year-old who memorizes alphabet books, is weaned, and experiences the overwhelming sensory chaos of the St. Louis Fair.

• Grover Gant

  The gentlest and saddest of the boys, who has died; remembered fondly by Eugene for his birthmark and kindliness.

• Ben Gant

  Present at the family's return from Grover's death and later works at the Fair Grounds.

• Helen Gant

  Almost fourteen, her departure for St. Louis costs Gant more than a pang or two.

Key passages

• “The best boy I had. By God, he was the best of the lot.”

  Gant declares Grover was his finest son.

  Gant's grief and admiration for Grover after his death.

• “If I had known how it would turn out—”

  Eliza regrets not foreseeing the tragic outcome.

  Eliza's remorse and reflection on the family's fate.

• “I'll simply get me a good big house and drum up a trade among the Altamont people who are going.”

  Eliza plans to run a boardinghouse for Altamont visitors at the Fair.

  Eliza's entrepreneurial scheme for the St. Louis trip.