The Titan · Chapter
XVIII: The Clash explained
Aileen, suspecting Cowperwood's infidelity, hires detectives who confirm his affairs with Antoinette Nowak and Rita Sohlberg.
What happens
Aileen, suspecting Cowperwood's infidelity, hires detectives who confirm his affairs with Antoinette Nowak and Rita Sohlberg. Enraged and heartbroken, she confronts her feelings of betrayal and plots revenge, eventually luring Rita Sohlberg to her home under a pretense.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
Aileen discovers Cowperwood's double infidelity, leading to a violent emotional clash.
Wealth and Its Illusions
Aileen's wealth cannot protect her from the pain of betrayal; her social position feels hollow.
Individual vs. Society
Rita Sohlberg's pagan indifference to social morality contrasts with Aileen's conventional anguish.
Characters to notice
- Aileen Cowperwood
Hires detectives, discovers Cowperwood's affairs, and confronts Rita Sohlberg.
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Carries on affairs with Antoinette Nowak and Rita Sohlberg; Aileen stamps on his picture.
- Rita Sohlberg
Cowperwood's lover; Aileen lures her to the house for a confrontation.
- Antoinette Nowak
Cowperwood's stenographer and mistress; Aileen rages against her.
- Harold Sohlberg
Rita's husband; Cowperwood and Rita plan to use his affairs against him.
- Lillian Cowperwood
Cowperwood's first wife; Aileen fears being treated like her.
Key passages
“She seized it and threw it on the floor, stamping on his handsome face with her pretty foot, and raging at him in her heart.”
Aileen grabbed Cowperwood's portrait, threw it down, and stomped on it, furious at his betrayal.
Symbolizes her rage and sense of personal violation.
“Rita Sohlberg had been growing on Aileen as a personage, for she had obviously been prospering during this past year, and her beauty had been amazingly enhanced thereby.”
Aileen had noticed Rita's increasing beauty and prosperity, which now fueled her jealousy.
Highlights Aileen's envy and the perceived threat from Rita.