# XXXIII explained — The Financier

> Chapter companion for The Financier by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Cowperwood, sensing the politicians intend to make him a scapegoat, seeks an audience with Henry Mollenhauer to negotiate a settlement for the city treasury loans. Mollenhauer, while impressed by Cowperwood's composure, refuses to intervene, citing the political danger and the impending investigation by the Citizens' Municipal Reform Association. Meanwhile, Albert Stires is threatened with prosecution over the sixty-thousand-dollar check, and Aileen Butler warns Cowperwood of her father's and the politicians' plans against him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Corruption and Power

Mollenhauer and the political machine manipulate the legal system to make Cowperwood a scapegoat, while Cowperwood himself used city funds for personal gain.

### Deception and Self-Justification

Cowperwood rationalizes his use of city treasury loans and the sixty-thousand-dollar check, insisting he is no more guilty than the politicians who profited from him.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Algernon Cowperwood

Seeks to negotiate with Mollenhauer to avoid prosecution, remains composed and defiant.

### Henry A. Mollenhauer

Politely refuses Cowperwood's request for help, citing political pressures and the Reform Association.

### Albert Stires

Visits Cowperwood for advice after being threatened with prosecution by Stener.

### Aileen Butler

Writes to Cowperwood warning him of her father's and the politicians' plans to 'get him'.

### Skelton C. Wheat

Calls a meeting of the Citizens' Municipal Reform Association to investigate the Cowperwood failure.

## Key lines

> I did not create this panic. I did not set Chicago on fire.

Cowperwood argues that the financial crisis and the Great Chicago Fire are not his fault, and he should not be blamed for circumstances beyond his control.

_Cowperwood defends himself to Mollenhauer, shifting responsibility away from his own actions._

> The trouble with this situation, Mr. Cowperwood, is that it has gone so far that it is practically out of my hands.

Mollenhauer tells Cowperwood that the political situation has escalated beyond his ability to help, implying that the Reform Association and public sentiment are now driving events.

_Mollenhauer uses the political climate as a reason to refuse Cowperwood's request for assistance._

## Links

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