# Ambition and Power in The Titan

> Theme guide for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser.

The novel follows Frank Cowperwood's relentless drive for wealth, influence, and control, as he manipulates finance, politics, and people to build a street-railway empire in Chicago, illustrating the intoxicating and destructive nature of unchecked ambition.

## Where it surfaces

- [The New City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/i-the-new-city): Cowperwood resolves to rebuild his fortune and dominate new ventures, viewing Chicago as a land of opportunity.
- [A Reconnoiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/ii-a-reconnoiter): Cowperwood's strategic reconnaissance of Chicago's financial landscape and his determination to seize opportunities reflect his relentless ambition for wealth and influence.
- [A Chicago Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/iii-a-chicago-evening): Cowperwood's determination to rebuild his fortune and Aileen's social aspirations drive their move to Chicago, highlighting their relentless pursuit of success.
- [Peter Laughlin & Co.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/iv-peter-laughlin-co): Cowperwood's calculated partnership with Laughlin demonstrates his strategic ambition to gain a foothold in Chicago's financial world, securing majority control from the outset.
- [Concerning a Wife and Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/v-concerning-a-wife-and-family): Cowperwood's resolve to rule alone and his strategic use of Laughlin as a tool demonstrate his relentless ambition and desire for control.
- [The New Queen of the Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/vi-the-new-queen-of-the-home): Cowperwood's strategic planning for social and business advancement, and Aileen's determination to succeed as a hostess, demonstrate their shared ambition.
- [VII: Chicago Gas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/vii-chicago-gas): Cowperwood's relentless drive to consolidate Chicago's gas industry and his strategic pivot to suburban franchises demonstrate his ambition for financial and political power.
- [Now This Is Fighting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/viii-now-this-is-fighting): Cowperwood's strategic expansion into suburban gas markets demonstrates his relentless drive for financial and political control.
- [The Fruits of Daring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xi-the-fruits-of-daring): Cowperwood's daring gas franchise scheme and Schryhart's attempt to co-opt it illustrate the relentless pursuit of financial and political dominance.
- [A New Retainer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xii-a-new-retainer): Cowperwood's strategic pursuit of a gas franchise demonstrates his relentless ambition and desire to consolidate power in Chicago's financial and political landscape.
- [A Fateful Interlude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xvi-a-fateful-interlude): Cowperwood's drive extends beyond business to personal conquests, using his wealth and influence to orchestrate his romantic life.
- [Man and Superman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xx-man-and-superman): Cowperwood wields financial power and personal intimidation to control the situation, demonstrating his relentless drive to protect his reputation and ambitions.
- [A Matter of Tunnels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxi-a-matter-of-tunnels): Cowperwood's relentless drive to control Chicago's street-railways is portrayed as an obsession, with the refrain 'To own these street-railways!' echoing his desire for dominance.
- [Street-Railways at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxii-street-railways-at-last): Cowperwood's strategic maneuvering to gain control of the North Chicago Street Railway, using financial leverage and political connections to outmaneuver the old guard.
- [The Power of the Press](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxiii-the-power-of-the-press): Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of control over Chicago's street-railways and his vision of becoming a national financial magnate.
- [Love and War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxvi-love-and-war): Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of both romantic conquest and financial dominance in Chicago.
- [XXVIII: The Exposure of Stephanie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxviii-the-exposure-of-stephanie): Cowperwood's use of a secretary to investigate Stephanie demonstrates his need for control and his willingness to wield power in personal matters.
- [Obstacles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxx-obstacles): Cowperwood's relentless drive to expand his street-railway empire, using legal manipulation and force to overcome obstacles.
- [A Political Agreement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxv-a-political-agreement): Both Gilgan and Kerrigan are driven by personal ambition and the desire for control over city resources, illustrating the relentless pursuit of power.
- [An Election Draws Near](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-election-draws-near): Tiernan and Kerrigan's secret plot to seize control of patronage reflects their ambition for greater power beyond McKenty's favor.
- [An Hour of Defeat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxviii-an-hour-of-defeat): Cowperwood's relentless drive to maintain control despite political defeat; his enemies' ambition to destroy him through the elevated railway scheme.
- [XLIII: The Planet Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xliii-the-planet-mars): Cowperwood's drive to expand his transit empire despite fierce opposition from Chicago's financial elite.
- [XLV: Changing Horizons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xlv-changing-horizons): Cowperwood envisions himself as a national figure and plans a New York mansion as a monument to his success, reflecting his relentless drive.
- [American Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xlvii-american-match): Cowperwood's relentless expansion of his elevated railway empire and his strategic manipulation of banks and stocks demonstrate his drive for dominance.
- [XLVIII: Panic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xlviii-panic): Cowperwood's secret manipulation of the American Match collapse demonstrates his relentless ambition and strategic use of power to profit at the expense of his rivals.
- [Mount Olympus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xlix-mount-olympus): Cowperwood's defiance and threat to 'gut every bank' demonstrate his relentless ambition and willingness to wield power against the established financial order.
- [A New York Mansion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/l-a-new-york-mansion): Cowperwood's relentless drive for wealth, prestige, and a lasting monument; his desire to rank with Eastern magnates.
- [Wanted—Fifty-Year Franchises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/liv-wanted-fifty-year-franchises): Cowperwood's drive to consolidate his traction empire and secure fifty-year franchises reflects his relentless pursuit of financial and political dominance.
- [Cowperwood and the Governor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lv-cowperwood-and-the-governor): Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of a franchise extension and his willingness to bribe a governor illustrate his overweening ambition and drive for power.
- [LVIII: A Marauder Upon the Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lviii-a-marauder-upon-the-commonwealth): Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of a fifty-year franchise demonstrates his drive for financial and political control, even in the face of widespread opposition.
- [LX: The Net](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lx-the-net): Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of a transit monopoly and his defiance of public opinion highlight his ambition and belief in his own superiority.
- [LXI: The Cataclysm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lxi-the-cataclysm): Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of a fifty-year franchise demonstrates his iron will and ambition to dominate Chicago's streetcar system.
- [LXII: The Recompense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lxii-the-recompense): Cowperwood's relentless drive for wealth and control is central, culminating in his defeat and the philosophical reflection on the costs of his ambition.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/themes/ambition_and_power
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/themes