# Chapter VII explained — The Pit > Chapter companion for The Pit by Frank Norris. ## What happens Curtis Jadwin, despite promising to leave speculation, is drawn back into the wheat market as a powerful Bull clique emerges. He secretly becomes the 'Unknown Bull,' buying massive amounts of wheat and dominating the market. Laura Jadwin grows distressed as her husband becomes increasingly absorbed in speculation, neglecting their evenings together and his former interests. Landry Court and Page Dearborn discuss the situation, with Landry defending Jadwin's genius. The chapter ends with Jadwin and his broker Sam Gretry analyzing a government report on the visible supply, which shows low farmer-held wheat, reinforcing Jadwin's bullish strategy. ## Themes in this chapter ### Speculation and Greed Jadwin's return to aggressive wheat speculation, driven by ambition and the lure of profit, dominates the chapter. ### Love and Marriage Laura's distress over Jadwin's obsession strains their marriage, as he neglects their time together and her concerns. ### The American Dream and Its Costs Jadwin's pursuit of market dominance and wealth comes at the cost of personal relationships and peace of mind. ## Character check-ins ### Curtis Jadwin Returns to speculation as the 'Unknown Bull,' buying wheat aggressively and dominating the market, causing tension with Laura. ### Laura Jadwin Distressed by her husband's return to speculation; spends evenings alone as Jadwin becomes absorbed in the market. ### Samuel Gretry Jadwin's broker, discusses market conditions and the government report with Jadwin. ### Landry Court Shares news of the 'Unknown Bull' with Page, defends Jadwin's abilities, and executes orders for Gretry. ### Page Dearborn Discusses Laura's distress with Landry and expresses concern about Jadwin's speculation. ### Charles Cressler Mentioned as warning about the risk of Jadwin losing money if he is speculating. ## Key lines > I tell you, Sam, the surplus of wheat is going out of the country—and it's going fast. And some of these shorts will have to hustle lively for it pretty soon. Jadwin asserts that the wheat surplus is being exported rapidly, and short sellers will soon struggle to cover their positions. _Jadwin's bullish confidence in the market's direction._ > Oh, I'm out of it for good and all, he assured his wife. But I know the man who could take up the whole jing-bang of that Crookes crowd in one hand and scrunch it up like an eggshell, by George. Jadwin tells Laura he has quit speculation, but boasts that he could easily defeat the Crookes clique if he chose to. _Irony as Jadwin soon re-enters the market despite his claim._ > It is now universally conceded that an Unknown Bull has invaded the Chicago wheat market since the beginning of the month, and is now dominating the entire situation. Newspapers report that a mysterious bullish trader has taken control of the wheat market. _Reveals Jadwin's secret role as the 'Unknown Bull.'_ > Laura is terribly distressed, Page went on. I can see that. They used to spend all their evenings together in the library, and Laura would read aloud to him. But now he comes home so tired that sometimes he goes to bed at nine o'clock, and Laura sits there alone reading till eleven and twelve. Page describes how Laura is upset because Jadwin's market obsession has ended their shared evening routine. _Shows the personal cost of Jadwin's speculation on his marriage._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/vii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se/chapters