# Chapter VIII explained — The Pit

> Chapter companion for The Pit by Frank Norris.

## What happens

Curtis Jadwin becomes consumed by his massive wheat speculation, controlling forty million bushels and obsessively planning to corner the May wheat market. His obsession strains his marriage to Laura, who feels neglected and turns to Sheldon Corthell for companionship. Meanwhile, on the Chicago Board of Trade, the 'Unknown Bull' drives wheat prices toward the dollar mark, alarming Bears like C. H. Crookes and worrying Charles Cressler, who feeds pigeons before trading begins.

## Themes in this chapter

### Speculation and Greed

Jadwin's obsession with cornering the wheat market consumes his life, illustrating the all-consuming nature of speculative greed.

### Love and Marriage

Jadwin's neglect of Laura strains their marriage, as she seeks emotional and social fulfillment elsewhere, particularly with Corthell.

### Fate and Free Will

Jadwin feels trapped by circumstances, claiming 'the wheat has cornered me,' suggesting a loss of control over his own actions.

## Character check-ins

### Curtis Jadwin

Obsessed with cornering the May wheat market, he works day and night, neglecting Laura and feeling trapped by the forces he unleashed.

### Laura Jadwin

Feels hurt and lonely due to Jadwin's absorption in speculation; she invites Sheldon Corthell to accompany her to the theatre and supper.

### Sheldon Corthell

Accompanies Laura, Mrs. Cressler, and Page to the theatre and hosts supper; later visits Laura at home and is invited to play for her again.

### Charles Cressler

Observes the market with worry; feeds pigeons before trading and is approached by C. H. Crookes, who criticizes the 'Unknown Bull.'

### C. H. Crookes

A dandyish Bear trader who derides the 'Unknown Bull' as a fool and discusses the market with Cressler.

### Page Dearborn

Accompanies Laura and the party; receives a telegram that Landry Court is sick and unable to join.

## Key lines

> I corner the wheat! Great heavens, it is the wheat that has cornered me! The corner made itself. I happened to stand between two sets of circumstances, and they made me do what I've done.

Jadwin insists he did not choose to corner the market; rather, the market's forces compelled him, and he cannot escape.

_Highlights the theme of fate vs. free will and Jadwin's rationalization of his obsession._

> Wheat-wheat-wheat, wheat-wheat-wheat. Forty million bushels, forty million, forty million.

The relentless rhythm of wheat trading dominates Jadwin's thoughts day and night, symbolizing his complete mental enslavement to speculation.

_Illustrates the obsessive nature of Jadwin's speculation and its toll on his psyche._

> The 'Unknown Bull' was to all appearance still in control; the whole market hung upon his horns; and from time to time, one felt the sudden upward thrust, powerful, tremendous, as he flung the wheat up another notch.

The mysterious bull trader, later revealed as Jadwin, dominates the market, driving prices higher with each powerful move.

_Describes the market's perception of Jadwin's influence and the tension among traders._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/viii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_pit_se/chapters