# Conrad Dryfoos — A Hazard of New Fortunes character guide > Conrad Dryfoos in A Hazard of New Fortunes by William Dean Howells. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Conrad, Dryfoos, Coonrod, Coonrod Dryfoos **First appearance:** 0001-a-hazard-of-new-fortunes ## Snapshot The rich man's son who agrees with the Saviour against his father, Conrad apologizes for Dryfoos's rages while quietly believing riches imperil the soul. ## Who they are Conrad works in the counting-room of his father's new magazine, Every Other Week, forever smoothing over the old man's explosions and gently excusing even the socialist Lindau. His mildness hides a fanatic's conviction: he tells March that Christ meant the kingdom of heaven on earth, and that the rich can hardly enter it. That contradiction—dutiful son, radical conscience—makes him the moral fault line running through the Dryfoos family's sudden fortune. ## In the story ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-first-xi) Mentioned as Dryfoos's son who wanted to study for the ministry but was prevented; he will be the nominal publisher of Every Other Week. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-vii) Talks with March about the magazine's potential to help people understand each other, and mentions his father's absence. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-viii) Mentioned in March's reflections; he answers the door for Fulkerson and Beaton, and is addressed by his mother during the visit. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-i) Present during his father's visit, patiently endures his father's comments about his business training and earlier desire to be a preacher. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-ii) Quietly challenges his father's business ethics, suggesting that their enterprise does not cause others to lose. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-iii) Discussed by his parents: his desire to help the poor as a religious brother, his dissatisfaction with the magazine business, and his absence from home. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-viii) Reluctant to attend the musicale due to his religious meetings, he faces his father's harsh criticism for prioritizing the poor over family social obligations. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-ix) Feels like a martyr to his family and experiences a tumult of emotion after the party, reflecting his spiritual and idealistic nature. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-i) Resists being used as a figurehead for cooperative ideals; shows integrity and defiance toward his father. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-vi) Quietly observes the dinner, showing gentle disapproval of the joking about serious subjects. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-vii) Expresses sympathy with Lindau's radical Christian views, causing tension with his father and March. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-viii) Mentioned in March's account of a prior conversation; his sympathetic and principled nature is noted. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-iv) Defends the striking workers' cause to his father, is struck and wounded, but remains calm and sorrowful. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-v) Conrad meets Miss Vance, feels inspired by her sympathy for the strikers, and resolves to help. He is shot and killed during the riot. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-vii) Conrad is remembered as unhappy and thwarted by his father's ambitions; his death is the central tragedy of the chapter. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-ix) Conrad is remembered as having been killed in the strike, and his death is discussed as a loss. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-x) Conrad's death and his diary of thoughts about Lindau's ideas haunt Dryfoos, motivating his wish to reconcile. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xi) Conrad is discussed as having suffered for the sins of others, echoing the doctrine of the Atonement. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xiii) His death is reported in the newspaper; Dryfoos wants Beaton to paint his portrait from photographs. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xiv) Deceased; his portrait is requested by his father; described as having a saintly, rustic quality and dying as a peacemaker during the strike. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters/conrad_dryfoos - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters