# Chapter XI explained — National Avenue

> Chapter companion for National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Dan takes Lena to see Ornaby Addition, but a violent thunderstorm ruins the outing. Lena becomes increasingly distressed by the storm and Dan's clumsy attempts to comfort her, especially when he mentions Martha Shelby's bravery in a similar storm. Later, Lena writes a scathing letter to her brother George, criticizing the West, the Oliphant family, and her marriage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Progress and Destruction

Dan's vision of Ornaby Addition as a symbol of progress is undermined by the storm's destruction and Lena's disdain for the undeveloped land.

### Marriage and Alienation

The storm exposes the growing rift between Dan and Lena, as his attempts to comfort her only deepen her sense of isolation and regret.

### Home and Belonging

Lena feels utterly alien in the West, contrasting her expectations with the harsh reality, and longs for her former life.

## Character check-ins

### Dan Oliphant

Proudly shows Lena Ornaby Addition but fails to comfort her during the storm; inadvertently mentions Martha Shelby, causing Lena's anger.

### Lena McMillan

Terrified of the thunderstorm, cold and miserable; later writes a bitter letter to her brother George criticizing the West and her marriage.

### Martha Shelby

Mentioned by Dan as having behaved bravely in a storm on a lake, which upsets Lena.

### Harlan Oliphant

Described in Lena's letter as pompous, dry, affected, and a cold-hearted prig who reads heavy things.

### Mrs. Savage

Referred to by Lena as an outrageous old hag who behaved terribly at their only meeting.

### George McMillan

Recipient of Lena's letter detailing her complaints about the West and her marriage.

## Key lines

> Look, Lena! This is Ornaby!

Dan proudly shows Lena the undeveloped land he has invested in.

_Highlights Dan's optimism and Lena's disappointment._

> How this horrible old world does make us pay for not knowing what to do!

Lena laments the consequences of her poor decisions.

_Reflects Lena's regret about marrying Dan and moving West._

> You said to me once you’d like to come here to live. Read Martin Chuzzlewit again before you do. 'Eden!' That’s what the famous Ornaby Addition looks like!

Lena sarcastically compares Ornaby Addition to the fictional, failed settlement of Eden in Dickens' novel.

_Shows Lena's bitterness and her use of literary allusion to criticize her new home._

## Links

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