National Avenue · Chapter
XXIX explained
Dan Oliphant faces a devastating day of financial collapse, losing control of Ornaby Addition and the Four, while also learning that his wife Lena has left for New York, taking their son Henry with her.
What happens
Dan Oliphant faces a devastating day of financial collapse, losing control of Ornaby Addition and the Four, while also learning that his wife Lena has left for New York, taking their son Henry with her. Physically ill with fever and emotionally shattered, he entrusts his brother-in-law George McMillan with the task of bringing Henry back.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Failure
Dan's ambitious development of Ornaby Addition collapses, and he is forced to sign it over, feeling he has lost his life's work.
Marriage and Alienation
Lena leaves Dan, taking their son, signaling the final breakdown of their marriage.
Change and Loss
Dan experiences simultaneous loss of financial control, health, and family, marking a profound turning point.
Characters to notice
- Dan Oliphant
Suffering from fever and chills, Dan loses control of Ornaby Addition and the Four, and learns Lena has left with Henry.
- Sam Kohn
Sam advises Dan after the financial disaster, insisting the outcome could have been worse, and reveals he approached Harlan for help behind Dan's back.
- Lena McMillan
Lena leaves Dan, taking Henry to New York, and tells the chauffeur she will not return.
- George McMillan
George informs Dan of Lena's departure and promises to bring Henry back within four days.
- Mrs. Oliphant
Mrs. Oliphant is crying in the library after hearing about the financial troubles and Lena's departure.
Key passages
“The only trouble is, while it might have been worse, I wasn't hardly prepared for its bein' so bad!”
Dan admits that although the situation could have been worse, he was not ready for how bad it actually turned out.
Dan's reaction to the financial disaster.
“I've just given my life's blood to Ornaby, and now—”
Dan feels he has poured everything into Ornaby Addition and lost it all.
Dan's emotional lament over losing control of Ornaby.
“She had the kindness to tell the chauffeur to say so”
George bitterly notes that Lena only informed the chauffeur she was leaving, not Dan directly.
George's sarcastic remark about Lena's departure.