# Chapter VI explained — The Pit > Chapter companion for The Pit by Frank Norris. ## What happens Three years have passed since Laura and Jadwin's marriage. Wheat prices have steadily declined due to global overproduction, and Jadwin has grown increasingly wealthy and bold as a Bear speculator. He secretly turns Bull, planning a major coup. Meanwhile, Page and Landry Court discuss ambition, companionship, and gender roles in the library. ## Themes in this chapter ### Speculation and Greed Jadwin's repeated successful Bear raids and his secret turn to Bull speculation highlight the relentless pursuit of profit. ### Gender Roles and Independence Page and Landry's conversation explores traditional gender roles in love and ambition, with Page questioning Byron's lines. ### Social Class and Ambition Jadwin's rising wealth and Landry's competitive drive reflect the social mobility and ambition of the era. ## Character check-ins ### Curtis Jadwin Jadwin becomes a confident Bear speculator, buys a seat on the Board of Trade, and secretly turns Bull after three years of declining wheat prices. ### Laura Jadwin Laura remains largely unaware of her husband's financial dealings, learning of his near-defeat only later. ### Samuel Gretry Gretry collaborates with Jadwin on speculative deals and advises caution, but Jadwin overrules him. ### Page Dearborn Page lectures Landry on intellectual growth and discusses literature and companionship with him in the library. ### Landry Court Landry visits the Jadwin home, bringing flowers and candy, and engages in a philosophical conversation with Page. ### Mrs. Gretry Mrs. Gretry tells a story about Isabel's near-asphyxiation during the gathering. ## Key lines > he felt a quickening movement. Lethargy, inertia were breaking up. There was buoyancy to the current. In its ever-increasing swiftness there was exhilaration and exuberance. And he was upon the crest of the wave. Jadwin sensed a surge of energy and excitement as the market began to rise, feeling himself at the forefront of the trend. _Describes Jadwin's emotional response to the market shift._ > It was as though a lubricant had dried up. The cogs and wheels worked slowly and with dislocations. Things were a little out of joint. The economy slowed down, with business operations becoming sluggish and disrupted. _Metaphor for the economic stagnation caused by low wheat prices._ > He had developed into a strategist, bold, of inconceivable effrontery, delighting in the shock of battle, never more jovial, more daring than when under stress of the most merciless attack. Jadwin became a fearless and cunning trader who thrived under pressure and relished market conflicts. _Characterizes Jadwin's evolution as a speculator._ > Man's love is of his life a thing apart, 'Tis woman's whole existence. Men treat love as a separate part of life, while women make it their entire focus. _Page quotes Byron to question gender differences in love._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/vi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se/chapters