The Titan · Chapter
A Franchise Obtained explained
Cowperwood secures the elevated railroad franchise by blackmailing Mayor Sluss with love letters to Mrs.
What happens
Cowperwood secures the elevated railroad franchise by blackmailing Mayor Sluss with love letters to Mrs. Brandon, forcing him to drop his public opposition.
Themes in this chapter
Corruption and Morality
Cowperwood uses Sluss's private moral lapse to force a public political outcome, highlighting the hypocrisy of the era.
Politics and Public Opinion
The chapter shows how political power is wielded through manipulation of public image and private secrets.
Characters to notice
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Orchestrates the blackmail of Mayor Sluss to secure the elevated road franchise.
- Chaffee Thayer Sluss
The mayor who publicly opposes Cowperwood but is forced to capitulate after being confronted with his love letters to Mrs. Brandon.
- Hosmer Hand
Urges Sluss to block Cowperwood's franchise, representing the opposition.
- Claudia Carlstadt
Mrs. Brandon, the woman with whom Sluss had an affair; her letters are used as leverage.
Key passages
“Don't you let them do that, Mr. Sluss. Don't you let them pass that if you can help it. Raise such a row that they won't try to pass it over your head.”
Hand urges Sluss to use his power as mayor to block the franchise ordinance.
Hand's instruction to Sluss to oppose Cowperwood's franchise.
“Unless you come to mine before five o'clock this afternoon you will face by noon tomorrow a suit for breach of promise, and your letters to Mrs. Brandon will be given to the public.”
Cowperwood threatens to expose Sluss's affair if he does not cooperate.
Cowperwood's ultimatum to Sluss, leveraging the love letters.
“I give you my word right now that nothing which you yourself, on mature thought, could say was unfair will be done.”
Cowperwood promises not to abuse his power over Sluss.
Cowperwood's assurance to Sluss after the mayor's surrender.