# Chapter XV explained — National Avenue

> Chapter companion for National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

At a family dinner celebrating the baby's arrival, Lena learns from Fred Oliphant that Dan visited Martha Shelby the night Henry Daniel was born and appointed her godmother. This revelation triggers a confrontation between Lena and Dan, exposing deep marital tensions and Lena's growing discontent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Alienation

Lena's confrontation with Dan reveals the deep alienation in their marriage, as Dan's secrecy and Lena's discontent come to a head.

### Gender and Power

Lena's lack of agency in decisions like the godmother selection highlights the power imbalance in her marriage.

### Social Class and Family

The family dinner and Dan's boasting about Ornaby Addition reflect the family's social aspirations and the importance of lineage.

## Character check-ins

### Lena McMillan

Lena learns of Dan's secret visit to Martha and confronts him, revealing her deep unhappiness and threatening to leave.

### Dan Oliphant

Dan is jubilant as a new father but is blindsided by Lena's anger over his visit to Martha, showing his obliviousness to her feelings.

### Fred Oliphant

Fred's playful teasing about Dan's visit to Martha inadvertently triggers the marital crisis.

### Martha Shelby

Martha is mentioned as the neighbor Dan visited and appointed as godmother, though she does not appear in the chapter.

### Mrs. Oliphant

Mrs. Oliphant hosts the family dinner and is part of the family circle, though she is unaware of the brewing conflict.

## Key lines

> It’s a great thing to be the only father in the world,” he said. “I suppose it’s even greater than being an earl.”

Fred jokingly suggests that being a father is more impressive than being an earl, referencing Dan's self-importance.

_Fred's teasing about Dan's 'Earl of Ornaby' nickname sets off Lena's suspicions._

> Haven’t you realized yet there’s an enchantress living right next door to you?

Fred hints that Martha Shelby is the 'enchantress' Dan visited, revealing Dan's secret.

_This revelation triggers Lena's anger and the subsequent confrontation._

> I suppose it’s generally considered quite a turning point when a wife leaves her husband for just cause, isn’t it?

Lena threatens to leave Dan, indicating that his actions have given her legitimate grounds for separation.

_Lena's threat marks a critical escalation in their marital conflict._

## Links

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