# A Franchise Obtained explained — The Titan

> Chapter companion for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xliv-a-franchise-obtained
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters