# The New City explained — The Titan

> Chapter companion for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Frank Cowperwood, newly released from prison and having regained a fortune through the panic of 1873, decides to leave Philadelphia and start anew in the West. He travels to Chicago, where he is struck by the city's raw, dynamic energy and its potential for growth, particularly in street-railways. He leaves behind his mistress, Aileen Butler, promising to send for her soon.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Power

Cowperwood resolves to rebuild his fortune and dominate new ventures, viewing Chicago as a land of opportunity.

### Wealth and Its Illusions

Cowperwood's restored wealth softens his position but does not erase his scandalous past; he seeks to use money to overcome social obstacles.

### Individual vs. Society

Cowperwood feels ostracized by Philadelphia society and decides to forge his own path in the West, alone and unaided.

## Character check-ins

### Frank A. Cowperwood

Emerges from prison, decides to leave Philadelphia, and travels to Chicago to seek new business opportunities.

### Aileen Cowperwood

Sees Cowperwood off at the station; she is his mistress, young and devoted.

## Key lines

> He must go his way alone, unaided, or only secretly so, while his quondam friends watched his career from afar.

Cowperwood realizes he must proceed without help, his former friends observing from a distance.

_Highlights his isolation and determination to succeed independently._

> The race is to the swift, he said to himself over and over. Yes, and the battle is to the strong.

Cowperwood repeatedly reminds himself that speed and strength determine success.

_Reflects his competitive, survivalist mindset._

> This raw, dirty town seemed naturally to compose itself into stirring artistic pictures. Why, it fairly sang! The world was young here. Life was doing something new.

Cowperwood finds Chicago's rough, unfinished appearance artistically inspiring and full of youthful promise.

_Shows his aesthetic appreciation and optimism about the city's potential._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/i-the-new-city
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters