National Avenue · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Dan finds Henry drunk in a restaurant and decides to sell his car.
What happens
Dan finds Henry drunk in a restaurant and decides to sell his car. When he returns home, Lena confronts him hysterically, blaming the town for Henry's behavior and demanding to leave with their son, leading to a violent argument.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Dan’s internal conflict—his desire to see Ma…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Marriage and Alienation
Lena's hysterical outburst reveals deep alienation from Dan and her hatred of their life together, culminating in a locked door and emotional separation.
- Ambition and Failure
Dan's realization that he made a 'terrible mistake' with Henry's car and upbringing underscores his failure as a parent and the collapse of his hopes for his son.
Characters to notice
- Dan Oliphant
Searches for Henry, finds him drunk, decides to sell the car, and argues with Lena about Henry's upbringing.
- Lena McMillan
Confronts Dan hysterically, blaming the town for Henry's behavior and demanding to leave with Henry.
- Mrs. Oliphant
Hears the commotion and calls up from the hall, asking what is the matter.
Key passages
“I made a terrible mistake to give it to him. We’ve both made a mistake the way we’ve raised him.”
Dan admits that giving Henry the car was a mistake and that their parenting has been wrong.
Dan reflects on his failure as a father and the consequences of their indulgence.
“I’ve hated it every instant of all these silly, wasted years I’ve been pent up here.”
Lena declares she has hated every moment of her life in this town.
Lena's pent-up resentment explodes, revealing her deep unhappiness with their home.
