National Avenue · Chapter
Chapter XXVI explained
Martha clarifies to Harlan that her steadfastness for Dan is rooted in memory, not love, and gently deflects his annual marriage proposal.
What happens
Martha clarifies to Harlan that her steadfastness for Dan is rooted in memory, not love, and gently deflects his annual marriage proposal. During a spring evening visit, Harlan finds George McMillan already with Martha, leading to a debate on beauty, progress, and the destructive impact of industrialization. The conversation is interrupted by Dan's son Henry recklessly driving a loud red car. Harlan invites Martha to the inaugural symphony concert featuring baritone Venable.
Themes in this chapter
Progress and Destruction
Harlan laments the destruction of peace and cleanliness by industrial growth, while George McMillan argues that Dan and his ilk see beauty in growth and power.
Change and Loss
Martha reflects on aging and romantic feelings; Harlan mourns the loss of a quieter, cleaner city.
Marriage and Alienation
Martha's refusal of Harlan's proposal highlights her emotional distance and his habitual patience.
Characters to notice
- Martha Shelby
Explains to Harlan that her feelings for Dan are based on the past, not present love; enjoys mild rivalry between Harlan and George McMillan.
- Harlan Oliphant
Proposes to Martha annually; argues with George McMillan about beauty and progress; invites Martha to the symphony concert.
- George McMillan
Rivals Harlan for Martha's attention; defends Dan's view of industrial growth as beautiful; mentions having met Venable.
- Dan Oliphant
Mentioned as president of the Broadwood Interurban; criticized by Harlan for ruining the city; defends his son Henry.
- Henry Daniel Oliphant
Dan's teenage son; drives a loud red car recklessly; suspected of drinking cocktails.
Key passages
“She was mistaken about Martha, who never had the definite hope Lena’s imagination attributed to her. Martha was steadfast because she could not help it, having been born with this endowment evidently; and her tenderness for the boy she had loved so heartily was imperishable; but the Dan Oliphant of the middle years did not seem to her to be that boy.”
Martha's loyalty to Dan is not based on hope for a future together but on an unchangeable devotion to the youth he once was.
Clarifies Martha's true feelings and the nature of her steadfastness.
“I suppose National Avenue—poor thing, look at the wreck of it!—I say I suppose it couldn’t have hoped to escape the fate of Fifth Avenue; for the same miserable ruction is going on all over the country. My illustrious brother and his kind have ruined everything that was peaceful and everything that was clean—they began by murdering the English language, and now they’ve murdered all whiteness. Beauty is dead.”
Harlan laments the destruction of urban beauty and cleanliness by industrial development, blaming his brother Dan and others like him.
Expresses Harlan's critique of progress and its costs.
“The growth isn’t beautiful to you, but it is to them, or else they wouldn’t make it. Of course you’re sure you’re right about your own definition, but they’re so busy making what they ’re sure is beautiful they don’t even know that anybody disagrees with them.”
George McMillan argues that industrialists like Dan find beauty in growth and are too occupied to care about opposing views.
Highlights the conflict between aesthetic ideals and practical progress.