The Pit · Chapter
Chapter IV explained
Laura becomes increasingly aware of the world of speculation through Cressler's passionate warnings, while navigating the attentions of three suitors: Landry Court, Sheldon Corthell, and the aggressive Curtis Jadwin.
What happens
Laura becomes increasingly aware of the world of speculation through Cressler's passionate warnings, while navigating the attentions of three suitors: Landry Court, Sheldon Corthell, and the aggressive Curtis Jadwin. A rehearsal for an amateur play provides the backdrop for social dynamics and Laura's growing independence.
Themes in this chapter
Speculation and Greed
Cressler's extended critique of speculation as a destructive force that ruins young men and manipulates the price of wheat, affecting farmers and European peasants.
Love and Marriage
Laura's relationships with three suitors—Landry, Corthell, and Jadwin—highlight her ambivalence toward marriage and her desire to maintain independence.
Gender Roles and Independence
Laura enjoys her emancipation from New England constraints, resists the idea of marriage, and asserts control over her romantic life, shocking Aunt Wess.
Fate and Free Will
Cressler and Aunt Wess discuss spiritualism and premonitions, while Jadwin mentions his belief in luck, contrasting with Laura's materialist stance.
Characters to notice
- Laura Dearborn
Laura listens intently to Cressler's warnings about speculation, participates in the play rehearsal, and reflects on her feelings toward her three suitors, asserting she loves no one.
- Curtis Jadwin
Jadwin aggressively courts Laura, dismisses Cressler's warnings about speculation, and shares his belief in luck after a coin flip decision to sell wheat short.
- Charles Cressler
Cressler delivers a fervent monologue against speculation, describing its destructive effects on young men and its impact on farmers and European peasants.
- Sheldon Corthell
Corthell makes love to Laura extravagantly on each occasion, but is contrasted with Jadwin's directness; he feigns ignorance of the play coach.
- Landry Court
Landry is mentioned as one of Laura's suitors, whom she can manage easily, and he informs her of Jadwin's successful wheat trade.
- Page Dearborn
Page calls Laura to the rehearsal and later declares her sister a flirt, disapproving of Laura's behavior with multiple men.
- Monsieur Gerardy
Gerardy arrives late to the rehearsal, acts as a severe taskmaster, and directs the amateur play with pompous mannerisms.
- Aunt Wess
Aunt Wess engages in conversation about spiritualism with Cressler and is shocked by Laura's declarations about love and marriage.
Key passages
“put my own price on it, and if the price offered don't suit me I don't sell. But if I go out here in Iowa and raise a crop of wheat, I've got to sell it, whether I want to or not at the figure named by some fellows in Chicago. And to make themselves rich, they may make me sell it at a price that bankrupts me.”
A farmer can set his own price for a house he builds, but a wheat farmer must accept whatever price Chicago speculators dictate, even if it ruins him.
Cressler illustrates the power imbalance between farmers and speculators.
“These fellows themselves, the gamblers—well, call them speculators, if you like. Oh, the fine, promising manly young men I've seen wrecked—absolutely and hopelessly wrecked and ruined by speculation!”
Cressler warns that speculation destroys promising young men, luring them with easy money and leading to their ruin.
Cressler's personal experience with speculation fuels his passionate warning.
“I love—nobody. I shall never marry.”
Laura declares she loves no one and has no intention of ever marrying.
Laura asserts her independence and resistance to societal expectations.
