The Titan · Chapter
XIX: “Hell Hath No Fury—” explained
Aileen Cowperwood, in a jealous rage, attacks Rita Sohlberg after discovering Frank Cowperwood's affair with her.
What happens
Aileen Cowperwood, in a jealous rage, attacks Rita Sohlberg after discovering Frank Cowperwood's affair with her. Frank intervenes, calms Rita, and then tries to placate Aileen. In their confrontation, Frank makes a cruel reference to Aileen's past as his mistress, which devastates her. She throws her jewelry at him and flees into the night, but Frank pursues her, pleading for reconciliation.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
Aileen's discovery of Frank's affair with Rita triggers a violent confrontation, highlighting the betrayal in their marriage.
Corruption and Morality
Frank's infidelity and his use of Aileen's past as a mistress to deflect blame underscore the moral decay in their relationship.
Wealth and Its Illusions
Aileen's flinging of expensive jewelry symbolizes the emptiness of material gifts in the face of emotional pain.
Characters to notice
- Aileen Cowperwood
In a violent jealous rage, attacks Rita Sohlberg, then confronts Frank, throws jewelry at him, and flees after he references her past as a mistress.
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Intervenes in the attack, comforts Rita, then tries to soothe Aileen but makes a damaging remark about her past; pursues Aileen when she runs away.
- Rita Sohlberg
Attacked by Aileen, bruised and choked; Frank reassures her and instructs her to deny everything.
- Harold Sohlberg
Present during the attack, initially thinks Aileen has gone insane; leaves to get fresh clothes.
Key passages
“She was no better than the others—just one of his mistresses. To have her past thrown up to her as a defense for the others! To be told that she was no better than they! This was the last straw.”
Aileen realizes Frank sees her as no different from his other lovers, and his use of her past as a mistress to justify his affairs is the final insult.
Captures Aileen's devastating realization and the climax of her anger.
“Suddenly she observed her jewel-case, and, resenting all the gifts he had given her in Philadelphia, in Paris, in Rome, here in Chicago, she suddenly threw open the lid and, grabbing the contents by handfuls, began to toss them toward him—to actually throw them in his face.”
In a fit of rage, Aileen hurls the expensive jewelry Frank gave her over the years, rejecting his material tokens of affection.
Symbolic rejection of Frank's wealth and the illusions it created.