# Street-Railways at Last explained — The Titan

> Chapter companion for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Cowperwood successfully negotiates a lease for the North Chicago Street Railway Company, securing control by offering shareholders guaranteed interest and a forward-looking policy. He uses strategic manipulation, including spreading rumors through Kaffrath and Johnson, to pressure directors like Thorsen and Kaempfaert into accepting his terms. The chapter also shows Cowperwood's personal life, as he attempts to reconcile with Aileen after his affair with Rita Sohlberg, though she remains emotionally distant.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Power

Cowperwood's strategic maneuvering to gain control of the North Chicago Street Railway, using financial leverage and political connections to outmaneuver the old guard.

### Corruption and Morality

The use of rumors, secret deals, and political manipulation (via McKenty) to force directors into accepting Cowperwood's lease, reflecting the morally ambiguous business practices of the era.

### Love and Betrayal

Aileen's emotional pain and distrust following Cowperwood's affair with Rita Sohlberg, highlighting the personal cost of his ambition.

## Character check-ins

### Frank A. Cowperwood

Finalizes the North Chicago Street Railway deal, becoming president of the new company; manipulates directors through Kaffrath and Johnson; attempts to soothe Aileen's hurt feelings.

### Aileen Cowperwood

Remains gloomy and remote after Cowperwood's affair with Rita; responds to his affection with reproach but still cares for him.

### Young Kaffrath

A forward-looking director who advocates for improvements; helps Cowperwood by spreading rumors among the board to secure the lease.

### Albert Thorsen

An elder director initially skeptical of improvements; is manipulated into accepting Cowperwood's lease offer after hearing rumors of a sellout.

### Judah Addison

Works with Cowperwood on the street-railway deal; involved in plans to organize the Chicago Trust Company.

### John J. McKenty

Political ally who helps Cowperwood by blocking the North Side company's franchise extensions and stirring up complaints.

## Key lines

> plain that the road would have to be put in shape in the near future, and that this proposed plan relieved all of them of work, worry, and care. Moreover, they were guaranteed more interest at once than they had expected to earn in the next twenty or thirty years.

Cowperwood convinced the directors that the railway needed immediate improvements, and his plan would free them from responsibility while providing higher returns than they could expect for decades.

_Highlights Cowperwood's persuasive argument to the board, emphasizing immediate financial gain over long-term effort._

> “Well, pet, yesterday afternoon I wound up that North Chicago Street Railway deal. I’m president of the new North Side company just as soon as I get my board of directors organized. We’re going to be of some real consequence in this village, after all, in a year or two.”

Cowperwood tells Aileen that he has finalized the street-railway deal and will soon be president of the new company, predicting they will become important in Chicago.

_Shows Cowperwood's triumph and his attempt to share success with Aileen, despite her emotional distance._

> “Yes,” she replied, reproachfully but tenderly at that, a little sorrowfully, “a lot of good money does me. It was your love I wanted.”

Aileen responds that wealth means nothing to her without Cowperwood's love, expressing her lingering hurt over his infidelity.

_Reveals Aileen's emotional priority over material success, contrasting with Cowperwood's focus on business._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxii-street-railways-at-last
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters