# Great Blessings explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The chapter opens with a presidential proclamation of Thanksgiving, then shifts to the Stewart family's Thanksgiving dinner. Clara and Tod host Tod's parents, Mother and Father Stewart, who are critical of Clara's parenting and Tod's unemployment. Tod reveals he lost his job, and the family dynamics are strained. The chapter also introduces Dave, a wealthy former suitor of Clara's, who contrasts with Tod's decline.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Generational Conflict

The Thanksgiving dinner highlights tensions between Clara and her in-laws over parenting and Tod's career.

### Disillusionment and Failure

Tod's job loss and his decline contrast with Dave's success, reflecting personal failure and disillusionment.

### Class and Aspiration

Dave's wealth and Tod's poverty illustrate class differences and aspirations.

## Character check-ins

### Clara

Hosts Thanksgiving dinner, endures her in-laws' criticism, and worries about Tod's unemployment.

### Tod

Recently lost his job, drinks gin, and is contrasted unfavorably with Dave.

### Mother Stewart

Tod's mother, critical of Clara and Tod, indulges Myrtle with candy.

### Myrtle

Ten-year-old daughter, wants more cranberry sauce, is spoiled by grandparents.

### Dave

Wealthy former suitor of Clara, now successful in real estate, contrasts with Tod.

## Key lines

> He had been quite broken up when Clara took Tod, and had remained single.

Dave was devastated when Clara married Tod and never remarried.

_Shows Dave's lingering feelings for Clara._

> But poverty and a steady diet of gin had made him careless of his appearance and now no woman, except, perhaps, the easygoing Miss Butler, could possibly consider him attractive.

Tod's poverty and drinking had ruined his looks, making him unattractive to most women.

_Highlights Tod's decline._

> He had romped with Myrtle and she cried when he left, though he hadn’t brought her any candy.

Dave played with Myrtle, and she was sad when he left, even without candy.

_Shows Dave's charm and Myrtle's affection for him._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/great-blessings
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters