The Titan · Chapter
A New York Mansion explained
Cowperwood, now fifty-seven and immensely wealthy, feels his ambitions are still unfulfilled.
What happens
Cowperwood, now fifty-seven and immensely wealthy, feels his ambitions are still unfulfilled. He plans a magnificent New York mansion and gallery as a monument to his success, hoping to win Berenice Fleming. Meanwhile, the failure of American Match triggers a financial crisis; Cowperwood triumphs over his Chicago enemies Hand, Schryhart, Merrill, and Arneel, but they vow to destroy him politically. Cowperwood worries about future elections that could threaten his franchises.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Power
Cowperwood's relentless drive for wealth, prestige, and a lasting monument; his desire to rank with Eastern magnates.
Wealth and Its Illusions
Despite immense riches, Cowperwood feels unfulfilled; the mansion and gallery symbolize the illusion that material success brings happiness.
Politics and Public Opinion
Cowperwood's fear of losing political control over city council; his enemies plan to use elections to break his power.
Characters to notice
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Reflects on his unfulfilled ambition at age fifty-seven; plans a palatial New York mansion and gallery; triumphs over Chicago rivals in the American Match crisis; worries about political threats to his franchises.
- Berenice Fleming
Visits the new mansion with her mother; shares a love of art with Cowperwood; he hints at his loneliness and desire for her.
- Hosmer Hand
Vows to fight Cowperwood to the finish after being beaten in the financial crisis; receives support from Schryhart.
- Norman Schryhart
Supports Hand's vow to continue the fight against Cowperwood; part of the quadrumvirate opposing him.
- Timothy Arneel
Silent and dour after Cowperwood's triumph; vows to break Cowperwood politically.
- Anson Merrill
Decides he must fight Cowperwood openly, though he admires his courage.
Key passages
“It is curious how that first and most potent tendency of the human mind, ambition, becomes finally dominating.”
Ambition, the mind's most powerful impulse, eventually takes over completely.
Reflects Cowperwood's all-consuming drive for more power and status.
“This house can be little more than a museum to me; but I shall build it as perfectly as I can. Perhaps others may enjoy it if I do not.”
This house will be like a museum for me; I'll build it perfectly, even if I don't get to enjoy it myself.
Cowperwood hints at his loneliness and his hope that Berenice will share his life.
“This is a fight to a finish between me and him.”
This is a battle to the death between Cowperwood and me.
Hosmer Hand declares an all-out war against Cowperwood.