Social Manipulation and Patronage

Where it surfaces

• I: Cope at a College Tea

  Mrs. Phillips exerts control over Cope by sending him on errands and treating him as a subordinate, while Randolph observes with a desire to extend a 'friendly hand' that might shape young men's futures.

• II: Cope Makes a Sunday Afternoon Call

  Mrs. Phillips orchestrates Cope's visit as part of her social machine, using entertainment as a means of control and assessment.

• III: Cope Is "Entertained"

  Mrs. Phillips orchestrates the event, subtly controlling the interactions and expectations, and later manipulates Cope's feelings of obligation.

• IV: Cope Is Considered

  Randolph uses indirect inquiries and patronage to learn about Cope, reflecting his desire to control social interactions.

• VI: Cope Dines—and Tells About It

  Cope strategically cultivates influential people like Mrs. Phillips and Randolph, aware of social caste and the benefits of patronage.

• VII: Cope Under Scrutiny

  Randolph's careful probing of Cope's background and his strategic invitations reflect a patronizing interest and subtle manipulation.

• Cope Undertakes an Excursion

  Mrs. Phillips orchestrates the excursion, using her social influence to bring Cope into her circle, while Randolph navigates his role as a patron.

• XIII: Cope Dines Again—and Stays After

  Mrs. Phillips orchestrates the dinner to display Cope to her high-society circle, but her patronage fails to produce the desired impression.

• XV: Cope Entertains Several Ladies

  Medora Phillips orchestrates visits and invitations, asserting social control over Cope's circle.

• XVIII: Cope at the Call of Duty

  Mrs. Phillips orchestrates the evening's activities, using Amy and Cope for her own social ends, while Pearson and Hortense maneuver for attention.

• XIX: Cope Finds Himself Committed

  Medora Phillips and Basil Randolph both attempt to manipulate Cope's social availability for their own gratification, while Amy's letters manipulate family expectations.

• XX: Cope Has a Distressful Christmas

  Lemoyne manipulates Cope by invoking their long-standing entente and accusing Cope of violating it. He also uses his influence to plan their cohabitation in Freeford, asserting control over Cope's decisions.

• XXI: Cope, Safeguarded, Calls Again

  Mrs. Phillips orchestrates the evening with 'types' to entertain her French guest, and Foster and Randolph discuss Cope's situation.

• Cope Shall Be Rescued

  Randolph orchestrates a dinner to engineer a match between Pearson and Amy, manipulating social settings to 'rescue' Cope.

• XXIV: Cope in Danger Anew

  Mrs. Phillips uses her social influence to rehabilitate Cope's reputation by taking him to the opera and showcasing him in a prominent box.

• XXVI: Cope as a Go-Between

  Randolph uses his influence to secure a job for Lemoyne as a favor to Cope, highlighting the transactional nature of social connections.

• Cope Absent from a Wedding

  Medora Phillips and Basil Randolph engage in a veiled power struggle over their respective influence on Bertram Cope.

• Cope Again in the Country

  Medora orchestrates the trip, sends Hortense away, and deliberately positions herself between Cope and Carolyn to maintain control.

• XXXI: Cope Gets New Light on His Chum

  Randolph's calculated aid and withdrawal, along with the university's decision to expel Lemoyne, illustrate how patronage networks control social and academic standing.

• Cope in a Final View

  Medora and Randolph discuss Cope's relationships with the young women as a form of social maneuvering, with Medora trying to orchestrate matches.