# Chapter XXIII explained — The Rise of Silas Lapham

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

## What happens

Silas Lapham confesses to his wife Persis that he lost money through stock market speculation, initially drawn in by Milton Rogers. Persis, relieved it is not a worse secret, forgives him. Lapham also deals with the Millon women, who confront him at his office for money, and he firmly dismisses them. Tom Corey offers to invest $30,000 in Lapham's business, but Lapham refuses, citing increased reasons against it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honesty and Deception

Lapham confesses his secret stock market losses to his wife, revealing the deception he had maintained.

### Social Class and Mobility

Tom Corey's offer to invest in Lapham's business highlights the intersection of old money and new money, and the risks of social climbing.

### Morality and Business Ethics

Lapham's refusal of Corey's investment and his handling of the Millon women reflect his moral struggles in business dealings.

## Character check-ins

### Silas Lapham

Confesses his stock market losses to his wife and deals with the Millon women's confrontation at his office; refuses Tom Corey's investment offer.

### Mrs. Lapham

Listens to Lapham's confession, forgives him, and shows tacit kindness afterward.

### Tom Corey

Offers to invest $30,000 in Lapham's business; defends Lapham's character to Walker regarding the Millon incident.

### Zerrilla Millon

Brings her mother to confront Lapham for money; later asks Lapham for help with her father's drinking.

### Mrs. Millon

Confronts Lapham at his office demanding money for rent and food; is ordered to leave.

### Walker

Discusses the Millon incident with Corey at lunch, showing curiosity about Lapham's affairs.

## Key lines

> I got into it through Milton K. Rogers.

Lapham blames Milton Rogers for drawing him into stock market speculation.

_Lapham explains the origin of his financial troubles to his wife._

> I want to put some money into the business.

Tom Corey offers to invest thirty thousand dollars in Lapham's paint company.

_Corey proposes a financial partnership to help Lapham's struggling business._

> I guess I shan't change my mind about taking you into the business in that way.

Lapham refuses Corey's investment offer, citing stronger reasons against it now.

_Lapham declines Corey's proposal, maintaining his earlier stance._

## Links

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