# III explained — National Avenue

> Chapter companion for National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Dan Oliphant returns home from New York and walks with his childhood friend Martha Shelby. He confesses that he is engaged to a woman from New York, causing Martha to react with quiet sadness. Dan expresses his deep attachment to his hometown and his hope to settle there with his fiancée.

## Themes in this chapter

### Home and Belonging

Dan expresses a strong emotional pull to his hometown, feeling it is where he 'honestly belongs,' contrasting with his New York life.

### Change and Loss

Martha fears losing Dan to marriage and a possible move, highlighting the impending changes in their long-standing friendship.

### Marriage and Alienation

Dan's engagement introduces a new relationship that threatens to distance him from his old life and friends like Martha.

## Character check-ins

### Dan Oliphant

Returns home from New York, dressed in formal attire, and reveals his engagement to Martha.

### Martha Shelby

Walks with Dan, teases him about his New York habits, and reacts with concealed sorrow upon learning of his engagement.

### Harlan Oliphant

Mentioned as Dan's brother who finds the city 'squalid' upon returning.

### Mrs. Savage

Dan's grandmother, whom he is on his way to visit to share the news of his engagement.

## Key lines

> I had a kind of feeling—a pretty strong feeling—that this is where I honestly belong.

Dan felt a powerful sense that his hometown was his true home.

_Highlights Dan's deep connection to his city._

> I'm afraid you're going to say you got engaged to someone in New York. You are?

Martha fears Dan will announce an engagement to a New York woman.

_Martha's intuition and anxiety about losing Dan._

> I've always had you for a next-door neighbour; you've always been my best friend among the boys I grew up with;—I'm afraid I'll lose you if you get married.

Martha explains that Dan has been her closest childhood friend and she fears marriage will take him away.

_Martha's emotional vulnerability and the value of their friendship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/national_avenue_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters