# XV explained — The Rise of Silas Lapham

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

## What happens

Tom Corey struggles with his feelings of shame and disgust after Silas Lapham's drunken behavior at the Corey dinner. Lapham confronts Corey, humiliating himself and offering to release him from their business partnership. Corey, though internally conflicted and torn between his social instincts and his growing attachment to Penelope, ultimately reaffirms his loyalty to Lapham and resolves to prove his faith and respect.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Mobility

Corey's internal conflict highlights the tension between his aristocratic upbringing and his association with the nouveau riche Lapham, as he grapples with class-based prejudices and his own sense of duty.

### Pride and Humility

Lapham's abject humiliation and Corey's struggle with his own pride and sense of superiority illustrate the chapter's focus on pride and humility.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The contrast between Lapham's outward vulgarity and his genuine remorse, as well as Corey's internal turmoil versus his composed exterior, underscores the theme of appearance versus reality.

## Character check-ins

### Silas Lapham

Lapham is consumed with shame and self-loathing after his drunken behavior at the Corey dinner, repeatedly asking Corey if he was drunk and offering to release him from the business.

### Tom Corey

Corey is deeply conflicted, torn between his social pride and his loyalty to Lapham and his love for Penelope. He ultimately decides to stand by Lapham and offer reparation for his earlier lack of sympathy.

### Bromfield Corey

Mentioned as having spoken to Tom about the incident, noting that Lapham's behavior was an accident and that the guests understood it as such.

### Penelope Lapham

Though not directly present, Corey's thoughts of her voice and her influence on his feelings are central to his internal struggle and his decision to remain loyal.

### Mrs. Lapham

Mentioned in Corey's reflections on the disparity between the Lapham and Corey families, noting how different she is from his mother.

## Key lines

> He thought of him the night before in the company of those ladies and gentlemen, and he quivered in resentment of his vulgar, braggart, uncouth nature.

Corey recalled Lapham's behavior at the dinner and felt a shiver of anger at his coarse and boastful manner.

_Corey's resentment of Lapham's social clumsiness is vividly expressed._

> It was almost with the girl’s voice that it seemed to plead with him, to undo in him, effect by effect, the work of his indignant resentment, to set all things in another and fairer light, to give him hopes, to suggest palliations, to protest against injustices.

Corey felt as if Penelope's voice was gently arguing with him, softening his anger and showing him a kinder perspective on Lapham's actions.

_Penelope's imagined influence helps Corey overcome his indignation._

> He ended the question in his own mind by affirming to himself that he was there, first of all, to see Lapham and give him an ultimate proof of his own perfect faith and unabated respect, and to offer him what reparation this involved for that want of sympathy—of humanity—which he had shown.

Corey resolved that his purpose in visiting Lapham was to demonstrate his unwavering trust and respect, and to make amends for his earlier lack of compassion.

_Corey's decision to stand by Lapham is framed as an act of reparation._

## Links

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