Ticket No. 9672 · Chapter
XVII explained
Joel and Hulda arrive in Christiania for the lottery drawing.
What happens
Joel and Hulda arrive in Christiania for the lottery drawing. They walk through the bustling city, overhearing public gossip about the ticket and Sandgoist's villainy. Joel reads a cablegram reporting that no trace of the Viking has been found, confirming the loss of Ole and the crew.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Exploitation
Sandgoist is condemned by the public for his usury and merciless foreclosure, and the inflated rumors of offers for the ticket highlight the greed surrounding the lottery.
Hope and Resilience
Despite the grim news about the Viking, the crowds pour into Christiania hoping for a prize, and Joel tries to divert Hulda's melancholy thoughts.
Love and Longing
Hulda's sigh 'Ole! my poor Ole!' reveals her enduring love and grief for Ole, presumed lost at sea.
Characters to notice
- Hulda Hansen
Visits the wharves with Joel, sighs for Ole, and becomes distressed by public talk about the ticket.
- Joel Hansen
Leads Hulda away from the wharves, overhears gossip, and reads the devastating cablegram about the Viking.
- Sylvius Hogg
Has returned to Christiania and is seen hurrying toward the wharves and the Naval Department; has arranged for Joel and Hulda to stay at the Hotel du Nord.
- Monsieur Sandgoist
Publicly reviled as a scoundrel; people hope he loses the money he paid for the ticket and that he does not attend the drawing.
Key passages
““Ole! my poor Ole!” sighed Hulda”
Hulda sighs in grief for Ole, whom she believes is lost.
Expresses Hulda's sorrow and longing for Ole.
““What an infernal scoundrel Sandgoist must be. That rascal who showed those poor people no mercy.””
The public condemns Sandgoist as a merciless villain.
Reflects the theme of greed and exploitation.
“The dispatch-boat Telegraph has reached the locality where the Viking is supposed to have been lost, but has found no trace of the wreck.”
A cablegram reports that the search for the Viking has found no wreckage, confirming the loss.
Delivers the devastating news that Ole is almost certainly dead.