# A New Venture explained — The Financier

> Chapter companion for The Financier by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

At eighteen, Frank Cowperwood leaves Waterman & Company to join Tighe & Company, a brokerage firm. His astute financial insights impress Edward Tighe, who offers him a position. The chapter details the financial district of Philadelphia, the chaotic state of currency and banking, and the early stages of the stock exchange's modernization.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Success

Cowperwood's deliberate career move from grain commission to brokerage reflects his calculated ambition for greater success.

### The Role of Fortune and Crisis

The chapter highlights how economic instability and the slavery crisis create opportunities for those like Cowperwood who are financially astute.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Algernon Cowperwood

Decides to leave Waterman & Company for a brokerage position at Tighe & Company, demonstrating his ambition and financial acumen.

### Edward Tighe

Head of Tighe & Company, a Boston Irishman who recognizes Cowperwood's talent and offers him a job as a floor man.

### Henry Waterman Sr.

Irritated by Cowperwood's departure from Waterman & Company, having planned to offer him an interest in the grain business.

### George Waterman

Grieved by Cowperwood's decision to leave the firm.

## Key lines

> I don't think the South is going to stand for this thing. It's making trouble in our business, and it must be doing the same thing for others. We'll have secession here, sure as fate, one of these days.

Tighe predicts that the slavery conflict will lead to secession, disrupting business.

_Tighe discusses the political tension with Cowperwood, showing their awareness of national issues affecting finance._

> Why, damn it, man, there's good money in this business.

Henry Waterman argues that the grain commission business is profitable and cannot understand Cowperwood's decision to leave.

_Waterman's frustration at losing a promising young employee._

> If there's ever a war there'll be battalions of Pennsylvanians marching around offering notes for their meals.

Tighe jokes that Pennsylvanians would pay for food with promissory notes during a war, criticizing the state's poor credit.

_Illustrates the poor financial reputation of Pennsylvania at the time._

## Links

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