IV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Marriage and Family Dynamics

  The chapter delves into the Laphams' method of reconciling after quarrels by ignoring them, and reflects on the strains and resilience of their marriage.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Irene worries about the impression her father's boasting makes on Tom Corey, contrasting Silas's self-presentation with the family's social aspirations.

• Pride and Humility

  Silas Lapham's pride in his business and his boasting at the building site are tempered by his wife's quiet influence and Irene's social anxieties.

Characters to notice

• Silas Lapham

  Visits the new house with his family, whittles pine, brags about his paint business, and later discusses his impressions of Tom Corey with his wife.

• Mrs. Lapham

  Reconciles with Silas after a quarrel by suggesting the family visit the new house; tours the building with the foreman.

• Penelope Lapham

  Accompanies the family to the new house, teases her father and Irene, and engages in a playful conversation with Irene about Tom Corey's appearance.

• Irene Lapham

  Visits the new house, blushes and greets Tom Corey when he appears, and later anxiously discusses with Penelope the impression her father made on him.

• Tom Corey

  Passes by the new house, recognizes Irene, and exchanges greetings with her; later discussed by the Lapham sisters.

Key passages

• “With those two there was never anything like an explicit reconciliation. They simply ignored a quarrel; and Mrs. Lapham had only to say a few days after at breakfast, 'I guess the girls would like to go round with you this afternoon, and look at the new house,' in order to make her husband grumble out as he looked down into his coffee-cup. 'I guess we better all go, hadn't we?'”

  The Laphams never formally made up after a fight; they just pretended it hadn't happened. A few days later, Mrs. Lapham suggested taking the girls to see the new house, and Silas grumbled in agreement.

  Illustrates the Laphams' unique method of conflict resolution and their family dynamics.

• “Lapham was proud of his wife, and when he married her it had been a rise in life for him. For a while he stood in awe of his good fortune, but this could not last, and he simply remained supremely satisfied with it.”

  Silas Lapham felt he had married above his station and was initially in awe of his wife, but he soon settled into a comfortable satisfaction with his choice.

  Highlights the social mobility theme and Lapham's view of his marriage.

• “In that affair of the partnership she had tried to be his conscience, but perhaps she would have defended him if he had accused himself; it was one of those things in this life which seem destined to await justice, or at least judgment, in the next.”

  Regarding the partnership with Rogers, Mrs. Lapham had tried to act as Silas's moral guide, but she might have defended him if he had blamed himself; it was a matter that seemed to require divine judgment.

  Reflects the theme of morality and business ethics, and the unresolved guilt over the Rogers affair.