# XIV explained — The Turmoil

> Chapter companion for The Turmoil by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Bibbs undergoes a medical examination by Dr. Gurney, who finds him improved but warns that his father will likely send him back to the machine shop. Bibbs decides to accept the risk. That evening, the Sheridan family grieves quietly over Jim's death; Edith's laughter with Robert Lamhorn upsets her parents. Bibbs deliberately interrupts Edith and Lamhorn, causing Lamhorn to leave early, which angers Edith. Bibbs reflects on his awkward attempt at decisive action.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Legacy

The Sheridan family grapples with grief and tension after Jim's death; Edith's frivolity clashes with her parents' mourning, while Bibbs tries to protect family harmony.

### Individualism vs. Conformity

Bibbs resists the industrial grind and dreams of a quieter life, but Dr. Gurney and his father push him toward the machine shop, symbolizing the pressure to conform.

### Mortality and Health

Bibbs's improved health paradoxically leads to a dangerous return to the machine shop; Dr. Gurney notes the irony of a death sentence disguised as recovery.

## Character check-ins

### Bibbs Sheridan

Visits Dr. Gurney for a checkup; learns he is healthier but faces return to the machine shop. Later, he deliberately interrupts Edith and Lamhorn to protect family decorum.

### Dr. Gurney

Examines Bibbs and finds him improved; warns that the machine shop may harm him again. Expresses dark humor about the irony of good health leading to a death sentence.

### James Sheridan

Grieves silently after Jim's death; rearranges the Realty Company staff. Speaks metaphorically about life being like a sandpile. Goes to bed early.

### Mrs. Vertrees

Mentions Miss Vertrees fondly; worries about Edith's behavior and the family's bad luck since moving to the New House.

### Edith Sheridan

Laughs and flirts with Robert Lamhorn despite the family's mourning; becomes furious when Bibbs drives Lamhorn away.

### Robert Lamhorn

Visits Edith in the evening; leaves early after Bibbs's awkward intrusion.

## Key lines

> Doctor tells a man he's well, and that's his death sentence, likely. Dam' funny world!

Dr. Gurney reflects that telling Bibbs he is healthy may lead to his being sent back to the machine shop, which could kill him.

_Gurney's dark humor underscores the irony of Bibbs's recovery._

> It's like sand, mamma. It puts me in mind of chuldern playin' in a sand-pile. One of 'em sticks his finger in the sand and makes a hole, and another of 'em'll pat the place with his hand, and all the little grains of sand run in and fill it up and settle against one another; and then, right away it's flat on top again, and you can't tell there ever was a hole there.

Sheridan compares the Realty Company's continuity after Jim's death to children smoothing over a hole in a sandpile, suggesting life goes on seamlessly despite loss.

_Sheridan's metaphor expresses his grief and the impersonal nature of business._

> That's almost the first time in my life I ever tried to be a man of action, mother, and I succeeded perfectly in what I tried to do. As a consequence I feel like a horse-thief!

Bibbs tells his mother that his successful interference with Edith and Lamhorn leaves him feeling guilty and unaccustomed to decisive action.

_Bibbs's self-deprecating humor reveals his discomfort with assertiveness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_turmoil_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_turmoil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_turmoil_se/chapters