The Titan · Chapter
The Revival of Hattie Starr explained
Berenice Fleming, enjoying Cowperwood's financial support, is pressured by her mother to consider marriage for financial security.
What happens
Berenice Fleming, enjoying Cowperwood's financial support, is pressured by her mother to consider marriage for financial security. She meets Lieutenant Braxmar, a wealthy naval officer, but hesitates. At a dinner, a drunken man, Beales Chadsey, publicly insults Mrs. Carter by calling her 'Hattie Starr' and referencing her past in Louisville. Cowperwood and Braxmar eject him. The incident deeply disturbs Berenice and Mrs. Carter, forcing Berenice to confront her future and her feelings for Cowperwood versus Braxmar.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ostracism
Mrs. Carter's past as 'Hattie Starr' threatens her social standing and Berenice's prospects.
Wealth and Its Illusions
Berenice is torn between marrying for money (Braxmar, Duelma) and her own desires, highlighting the illusion of freedom wealth provides.
Love and Betrayal
Berenice's ambivalence toward Braxmar and her attraction to Cowperwood reflect conflicting loyalties.
Characters to notice
- Berenice Fleming
Reflects on her future and the pressure to marry for money; considers Braxmar but is drawn to Cowperwood.
- Ira George Carter
Mrs. Carter, Berenice's mother, is exposed as 'Hattie Starr' by a drunken man, revealing her past.
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Financially supports Berenice and Mrs. Carter; intervenes to eject the drunken intruder.
- Lieutenant Braxmar
Courts Berenice; helps eject Beales Chadsey after the insult.
- Beales Chadsey
Drunkenly insults Mrs. Carter by calling her 'Hattie Starr' and referencing her Louisville past.
Key passages
“She is an exquisite. Let her have her day. If she marries well she can pay you back, or me. But give her all she needs now.”
Cowperwood tells Mrs. Carter to let Berenice enjoy her youth and beauty, implying that a good marriage will repay their investment.
Cowperwood views Berenice as a valuable asset to be cultivated.
“Why, hello, Hattie! What are you doing down here in New York? You haven't given up your business in Louisville, have you, eh, old sport?”
Beales Chadsey drunkenly greets Mrs. Carter by her former name, Hattie Starr, and references her past running a brothel in Louisville.
This public insult exposes Mrs. Carter's hidden past and threatens her social position.