# VII explained — The Rise of Silas Lapham

> Chapter companion for The Rise of Silas Lapham by William Dean Howells.

## What happens

Silas Lapham brings Tom Corey home to the Nantasket beach house, delighting in the young man's interest in joining his paint business. Mrs. Lapham suspects Corey's motives involve Irene, while Penelope teases her sister about Corey's arrival. The family discusses literature and theater before Lapham sends the girls to show Corey the view, then privately confirms to his wife that Corey wants to work with him, possibly expanding into South America.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Mobility

Lapham's delight in Corey's presence and his hatred of the Corey name as a symbol of unattainable splendor underscore the class tensions and aspirations of the nouveau riche.

### Marriage and Family Dynamics

Mrs. Lapham's suspicion that Corey is courting Irene, and Penelope's teasing of her sister, reveal the family's preoccupation with marriage as a means of social advancement.

## Character check-ins

### Silas Lapham

Exultantly brings Tom Corey home, enjoys the prestige of the Corey name, and discusses Corey's business proposal with his wife.

### Mrs. Lapham

Suspects Tom Corey's interest in Irene, questions Lapham about the invitation, and expresses concern about the social implications.

### Penelope Lapham

Teases Irene about Corey's arrival, showing a playful and sharp wit, and comforts her sister after revealing the truth.

### Irene Lapham

Feigns a headache to avoid meeting Corey, is anxious and flustered upon learning he is present, and ultimately decides to stay in her room.

### Tom Corey

Arrives as Lapham's guest, expresses interest in joining the paint business and expanding into South America, and engages in family conversation.

## Key lines

> He knew who the Coreys were very well, and, in his simple, brutal way, he had long hated their name as a symbol of splendour which, unless he should live to see at least three generations of his descendants gilded with mineral paint, he could not hope to realise in his own.

Lapham was acutely aware of the Corey family's social standing and resented them as a symbol of an elite world he could only dream of entering, unless his paint fortune could buy that status over generations.

_Reveals Lapham's class consciousness and his belief that wealth from his paint business might eventually elevate his family's social position._

> I don't believe in tragedy. I think there's enough of that in real life without putting it on the stage.

Lapham prefers light entertainment because he feels real life already provides enough hardship.

_Reflects Lapham's pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude and his avoidance of emotional complexity._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/chapters