# XXVIII explained — National Avenue

> Chapter companion for National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Dan finds Henry drunk in a restaurant and decides to sell his car. When he returns home, Lena confronts him hysterically, blaming the town for Henry's behavior and demanding to leave with their son, leading to a violent argument.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Alienation

Lena's hysterical outburst reveals deep alienation from Dan and her hatred of their life together, culminating in a locked door and emotional separation.

### Ambition and Failure

Dan's realization that he made a 'terrible mistake' with Henry's car and upbringing underscores his failure as a parent and the collapse of his hopes for his son.

## Character check-ins

### Dan Oliphant

Searches for Henry, finds him drunk, decides to sell the car, and argues with Lena about Henry's upbringing.

### Lena McMillan

Confronts Dan hysterically, blaming the town for Henry's behavior and demanding to leave with Henry.

### Mrs. Oliphant

Hears the commotion and calls up from the hall, asking what is the matter.

## Key lines

> I made a terrible mistake to give it to him. We’ve both made a mistake the way we’ve raised him.

Dan admits that giving Henry the car was a mistake and that their parenting has been wrong.

_Dan reflects on his failure as a father and the consequences of their indulgence._

> I’ve hated it every instant of all these silly, wasted years I’ve been pent up here.

Lena declares she has hated every moment of her life in this town.

_Lena's pent-up resentment explodes, revealing her deep unhappiness with their home._

## Links

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