# XIX explained — The Turmoil

> Chapter companion for The Turmoil by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Bibbs Sheridan faces the imminent prospect of returning to work in his father's machine shop, a fate he dreads. In a heartfelt conversation with Mary Vertrees, he confesses his fear of the crushing, monotonous labor and his past breakdown. Mary offers him profound emotional support, promising to be with him in spirit every evening, transforming his isolation into a sense of companionship and hope.

## Themes in this chapter

### Bigness and Industrialization

The dehumanizing rhythm of the clipping machine, crashing sixty-eight times a minute, symbolizes the crushing power of industrial labor.

### Love and Sacrifice

Mary's promise to stand by Bibbs through his ordeal exemplifies selfless love and sacrifice.

### Individualism vs. Conformity

Bibbs's sensitive nature clashes with the conformist demands of factory work, highlighting his struggle to maintain his identity.

## Character check-ins

### Bibbs Sheridan

Dreads returning to the machine shop; confesses his fears to Mary and finds solace in her friendship.

### Mary Vertrees

Offers Bibbs unwavering emotional support, promising to be with him each evening after work.

### James Sheridan

Threatens Bibbs with the machine shop; taunts him at dinner about a lost item.

### Edith Sheridan

Giggles at Bibbs's improved appearance and asks about the lost item.

### Mr. Vertrees

Mentioned as distressed by the removal of the piano from the room.

### Mrs. Vertrees

Mentioned as distressed by the removal of the piano from the room.

## Key lines

> I feed long strips of zinc into a pair of steel jaws, and the jaws bite the zinc into little circles.

Bibbs describes his monotonous job of feeding zinc strips into a machine that stamps out small circles.

_Illustrates the repetitive and mechanical nature of his labor._

> Let the machines crash their sixty-eight times a minute, but remember each crash that deafens you is that much nearer the evening and me!

Mary urges Bibbs to endure the noise of the machine by thinking of their time together each evening.

_Shows Mary's emotional support as a counterbalance to the harsh industrial environment._

## Links

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