# XXII explained — The Financier > Chapter companion for The Financier by Theodore Dreiser. ## What happens Cowperwood expands his financial empire through street-railway manipulations, political connections, and risky stock schemes, while also indulging in art collecting and secret meetings with Aileen. His growing web of loans and speculative ventures sets the stage for potential collapse. ## Themes in this chapter ### Ambition and Success Cowperwood's relentless drive to expand his financial empire and his dream of reorganizing street-railway lines for massive wealth. ### Corruption and Power Cowperwood's manipulation of politicians, use of city and state funds, and unethical stock market tactics to gain control. ### Deception and Self-Justification Cowperwood employs fictitious buying, rumors, and agents to deceive stockholders and the public, justifying his actions as necessary for success. ## Character check-ins ### Frank Algernon Cowperwood Executes numerous confidential financial deals, manipulates street-railway stocks, and expands his banking business to nearly two million dollars. ### George W. Stener City treasurer who deposits nearly half a million dollars with Cowperwood and partners with him in purchasing the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Street line. ### Edward Malia Butler Occasionally carries as high as one hundred thousand dollars in margins with Cowperwood. ### Henry Worthington Cowperwood Frank's father, initially nervous but grows bolder, using Third National Bank resources to support Frank's loans and speculations. ### Aileen Butler Secretly meets with Cowperwood and desires beautiful surroundings for their meeting place. ### Edward Strobik Involved in the North Pennsylvania deal with Cowperwood and others. ### Fletcher Gray Art dealer who advises Cowperwood on collecting tapestries, rugs, and other art objects. ## Key lines > Like a spider in a spangled net, every thread of which he knew, had laid, had tested, he had surrounded and entangled himself in a splendid, glittering network of connections, and he was watching all the details. Cowperwood had carefully constructed and controlled a vast, intricate web of financial and political ties, monitoring every aspect. _Illustrates Cowperwood's calculated and dominant role in his financial empire._ > The trouble is that when you are trying to make a market for a stock—to unload a large issue such as his was (over five hundred thousand dollars’ worth)—while retaining five hundred thousand for yourself, it requires large capital to handle it. Creating a market to sell a large block of stock while keeping a similar amount for oneself demands significant capital and careful manipulation. _Highlights the risky and capital-intensive nature of Cowperwood's stock schemes._ > Nothing was so precious as reputation and standing. Cowperwood valued his reputation and financial standing above all else. _Emphasizes his focus on maintaining appearances to secure continued trust and loans._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_financier_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_financier_se/chapters