The Titan · Chapter
Now This Is Fighting explained
Cowperwood executes a bold plan to organize rival gas companies in Chicago's suburbs, enlisting a network of lawyers and fixers—including General Van Sickle, Kent McKibben, and Burton Stimson—to bribe village councilmen and secure franchise
What happens
Cowperwood executes a bold plan to organize rival gas companies in Chicago's suburbs, enlisting a network of lawyers and fixers—including General Van Sickle, Kent McKibben, and Burton Stimson—to bribe village councilmen and secure franchises before the established city gas companies can mount an effective defense.
Themes in this chapter
Corruption and Morality
The chapter details the systematic bribery of councilmen and the use of corrupt lawyers like Van Sickle, portraying moral decay as a normal part of business.
Ambition and Power
Cowperwood's strategic expansion into suburban gas markets demonstrates his relentless drive for financial and political control.
Wealth and Its Illusions
The ease with which franchises are bought and sold underscores the illusion that wealth can secure anything, while the actual cost in integrity is hidden.
Characters to notice
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Orchestrates the suburban gas franchise scheme, hiring multiple lawyers and dummy presidents to keep his involvement hidden.
- Addison Cowperwood
Applauds Frank's plan and advises him to enlist crooked village councilmen and a reliable lawyer.
- General Van Sickle
A corrupt former Civil War general hired as a go-between; he describes the venality of suburban councils and agrees to work with Sippens.
- Henry De Soto Sippens
President of the Lakeview Gas and Fuel Company, hired as practical adviser for the multiple franchise operations.
- Kent Barrows McKibben
A young lawyer hired to organize a Hyde Park gas company; he uses his local connections to influence councilmen.
- Burton Stimson
A young, ambitious lawyer engaged to work on the West Side franchise with Peter Laughlin.
- Peter Laughlin
Ostensible organizer for the West Side franchise, working with Stimson and Sippens.
- Antoinette Nowak
Cowperwood's secretary, described as reserved, astute, dark, and attractive.
Key passages
“They're all as crooked as eels' teeth, but there are one or two that are more crooked than others and safer—bellwethers.”
Addison says the village councilmen are universally dishonest, but a few are reliably corrupt and can lead the others.
Addison advises Cowperwood on selecting the most dependable corrupt officials.
“I'm not so much concerned with how it has to be done, General, but I want to be sure that it will be done quickly and quietly.”
Cowperwood tells Van Sickle he cares only about speed and secrecy, not the methods used.
Cowperwood delegates the dirty work to his hired fixers.
“The man before him gripped his imagination. His remote intellectuality relaxed.”
McKibben was captivated by Cowperwood's presence and dropped his usual aloof demeanor.
McKibben's reaction shows Cowperwood's magnetic effect on ambitious professionals.