# Obstacles explained — The Titan

> Chapter companion for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Cowperwood faces two major obstacles in expanding his street-railway empire: a landowner named Redmond Purdy who refuses to sell a critical property for a tunnel project, and a growing political and media backlash led by rivals like MacDonald, Schryhart, and Simms. Cowperwood uses legal manipulation and demolition on a holiday to seize Purdy's land, while the political battle over traction ordinances intensifies, leading to a contentious election.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Power

Cowperwood's relentless drive to expand his street-railway empire, using legal manipulation and force to overcome obstacles.

### Corruption and Morality

The use of a friendly judge, questionable injunctions, and demolition on a legal holiday to seize private property.

### Politics and Public Opinion

The media and political battle over traction ordinances, with rival newspapers and aldermen opposing Cowperwood's influence.

## Character check-ins

### Frank A. Cowperwood

Orchestrates the demolition of Purdy's building and navigates political opposition to his traction plans.

### Redmond Purdy

Property owner who refuses to sell his land at a fair price, leading to its demolition by Cowperwood's men.

### Kent Barrows McKibben

Cowperwood's smooth and deadly legal advisor, involved in devising the scheme to seize Purdy's property.

### General Van Sickle

Aging legal advisor to Cowperwood, consulted on the Purdy matter but becoming dolty.

### Judge Nahum Dickensheets

A judge attached to Cowperwood's interests, who issues a questionable injunction to facilitate the demolition.

### Norman Schryhart

Newspaper owner and rival who leads the media campaign against Cowperwood's traction monopoly.

## Key lines

> The impediments that can arise to baffle a great and swelling career are strange and various.

The obstacles that can hinder a powerful and rising career are many and unpredictable.

_Opening reflection on the nature of challenges faced by ambitious individuals._

> One million dollars! exclaimed Cowperwood. Don't you think that's a little steep, Mr. Purdy?

Cowperwood was shocked at Purdy's demand of a million dollars for the property.

_Key negotiation moment showing Purdy's exorbitant price and Cowperwood's reaction._

> By sundown of the next day (which, being Sunday, was a legal holiday, with no courts open or sitting to issue injunctions) this comely structure... was completely razed.

By the end of Sunday, a legal holiday when courts were closed, the building was completely demolished.

_Description of the strategic timing of the demolition to avoid legal interference._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxx-obstacles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters