# LII explained — The Financier

> Chapter companion for The Financier by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Frank Cowperwood is sentenced to four years and three months in the Eastern State Penitentiary for larceny, despite his lawyer Steger's plea for leniency. George Stener receives a harsher sentence of four years and nine months. Aileen and Cowperwood's family react with grief and anger, while Edward Butler watches with satisfaction. Cowperwood is taken directly to prison.

## Themes in this chapter

### Corruption and Power

The chapter highlights the judicial condemnation of public corruption, with Judge Payderson emphasizing the need to protect the treasury and denouncing the misapplication of public money.

### Deception and Self-Justification

Steger's plea argues Cowperwood's innocence and frames his actions as within legal rights, while the court's sentence underscores the perceived deception.

### The Role of Fortune and Crisis

Steger attributes Cowperwood's downfall to the Great Chicago Fire and the resulting financial panic, portraying him as a victim of circumstance.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Algernon Cowperwood

Sentenced to 4 years and 3 months for larceny; remains composed and unmoved during sentencing.

### Aileen Butler

Present in court, biting her fingers nervously, clenching her hands in rage and disappointment.

### Edward Malia Butler

Attends the sentencing, cloaking his motive; leaves satisfied after the sentence.

### George W. Stener

Sentenced to 4 years and 9 months for misapplication of public money.

### Harper Steger

Cowperwood's lawyer, makes a final plea for leniency, arguing Cowperwood's innocence and financial ability.

### Judge Wilbur Payderson

Delivers the sentence, emphasizing the gravity of the crime and the need to protect public funds.

### Henry Worthington Cowperwood

Frank's father, present in court, bows his head to hide tears upon hearing the sentence.

### Eddie Zanders

Takes charge of Cowperwood after sentencing, escorts him to the penitentiary.

## Key lines

> The sentence of the court is, therefore, that you pay a fine of five thousand dollars to the commonwealth for the use of the county, that you pay the costs of prosecution, and that you undergo imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District by separate or solitary confinement at labor for a period of four years and three months, and that you stand committed until this sentence is complied with.

Cowperwood is ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and court costs, and to serve four years and three months in solitary confinement at the Eastern State Penitentiary.

_Judge Payderson pronounces the sentence on Cowperwood._

> The misapplication of public money has become the great crime of the age. If not promptly and firmly checked, it will ultimately destroy our institutions.

Judge Payderson warns that the misuse of public funds is a grave threat to the republic if not stopped.

_The judge's remarks during Stener's sentencing reflect the era's concern with political corruption._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lii
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_financier_se/chapters