# XXIII explained — National Avenue

> Chapter companion for National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Harlan and Martha drive through Ornaby Addition, observing Dan's rapid development of the area, including new bungalows, factories, and infrastructure. They discuss Lena's disinterest in building a home, Dan's ambitious but precarious financial state, and the transformation of the landscape from rural to suburban. Martha defends Dan's efforts, while Harlan criticizes the aesthetic destruction.

## Themes in this chapter

### Progress and Destruction

Dan's development of Ornaby Addition represents industrial progress but is criticized by Harlan for defacing the landscape and creating ugly bungalows.

### Home and Belonging

Lena's lack of desire for a home contrasts with Dan's building ambitions, highlighting themes of displacement and belonging.

### Change and Loss

The transformation of rural fields into suburban lots reflects the passage of time and loss of the pastoral landscape.

## Character check-ins

### Harlan Oliphant

Harlan drives with Martha, criticizing Dan's development and the ugliness of Ornaby Addition, while revealing his dry humor and skepticism.

### Martha Shelby

Martha observes the changes in Ornaby, defends Dan's efforts to preserve trees and create homes, and reflects on the passage of time.

### Dan Oliphant

Dan is seen actively supervising construction of his factory and housing, described as being in his element, though his financial tightrope walking is noted.

### Lena McMillan

Lena is mentioned as disinterested in owning a home, viewing Ornaby as 'the end of Nowhere,' and still feeling temporarily marooned in the West.

### Fred Oliphant

Fred is briefly mentioned at a dinner party, making gallant remarks about Martha and Harlan's relationship.

### Mr. Shelby

Mr. Shelby is referenced as exploding when Dan's car line through the Addition is mentioned, and as stubbornly sticking to horses.

## Key lines

> What a pleasant place to live! It’s getting so smoky in town it seems to me people will have to be moving out even this far some day. Whose place is that?

Martha admires a wooded lot and predicts urban sprawl will push people farther out.

_Martha comments on the future of suburban expansion._

> He is going it! Why, he’s got the thing half up!

Harlan is surprised to see Dan's factory construction already well advanced.

_Harlan's reaction to Dan's rapid building progress._

> He’s in his glory. It all goes on arriving, Harlan. His great days have come!

Martha observes that Dan is thriving in his element of construction and development.

_Martha's positive view of Dan's success._

> I don’t think Lena cares about it much! I heard her speaking of it as ‘out at the end of Nowhere.’

Harlan reveals Lena's indifference to Dan's building plans, calling the area remote.

_Lena's disinterest in Ornaby as a home._

## Links

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