Mendoza Makes a Fight explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Appearances

  Mendoza feigns friendliness to Adele while plotting to undermine her, and Foss's betrayal is revealed.

• Class and Social Hierarchy

  Mendoza's rise from nothing and her fear of losing status, contrasted with Knebworth's absolute authority.

Characters to notice

• Jack Knebworth

  Confronts Stella Mendoza and fires Lawley Foss, asserting his authority as director.

• Stella Mendoza

  Fights to keep her position, confronts Adele Leamington, and argues with Jack Knebworth.

• Adele Leamington

  Defends her new role against Mendoza's intimidation and learns of the kidnapping plot.

• Lawley Foss

  Fired by Knebworth for his involvement in the attempted kidnapping of Adele.

• Mike Brixan

  Mentioned as having identified Foss's role in the kidnapping plot.

Key passages

• “She had fought her way up from nothing, and was not prepared to forfeit her position without a struggle.”

  Mendoza had clawed her way to success and would not give up her job easily.

  Highlights Mendoza's determination and fear of losing her hard-won status.

• “I’ve handled a good many women in my time, and I’ve never had to fire one but she didn’t produce the President, Vice-President or Treasurer and hold them over my head with their feet ready to kick out my brains!”

  Knebworth says every woman he fired tried to use powerful connections to threaten him.

  Shows Knebworth's experience with studio politics and his confidence in his own authority.

• “The idea of a man of my genius truckling hat in hand to this damned old Yankee is very humiliating.”

  Foss feels degraded by having to beg Knebworth, a crude American, for money.

  Reveals Foss's resentment and sense of superiority despite his dependence on Knebworth.