# Politics and Public Opinion in The Titan

> Theme guide for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser.

The novel details how political machines, newspapers, and public sentiment are manipulated by financial interests, showing the struggle between corporate power and emerging movements for public ownership, reform, and social justice in late 19th-century America.

## Where it surfaces

- [A New Retainer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xii-a-new-retainer): The chapter highlights the intricate relationship between business interests and political machinery, as Cowperwood navigates the city's power structure through McKenty.
- [The Power of the Press](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxiii-the-power-of-the-press): The chapter examines how Cowperwood must navigate newspaper influence and political alliances to achieve his goals, set against the backdrop of the Haymarket affair.
- [Obstacles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxx-obstacles): The media and political battle over traction ordinances, with rival newspapers and aldermen opposing Cowperwood's influence.
- [Enter Hosmer Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxiv-enter-hosmer-hand): The chapter details how Hand and his allies manipulate political machinery and public sentiment through alliances with politicians like Gilgan and control of newspapers to defeat their enemies.
- [A Political Agreement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxv-a-political-agreement): The chapter focuses on a backroom political deal to swing an election, highlighting the manipulation of public opinion and the mechanics of machine politics.
- [An Election Draws Near](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-election-draws-near): The chapter details the machinations of ward bosses, secret meetings, and the use of public oratory and newspapers to sway voters.
- [An Hour of Defeat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxviii-an-hour-of-defeat): The election results shift the balance of power; Cowperwood must navigate the new council and mayor, while public sentiment is swayed by reformers and newspapers.
- [The New Administration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xxxix-the-new-administration): The struggle between Cowperwood's faction and the reform coalition (Schryhart, Hand, Arneel) over aldermen and franchises shows the manipulation of political power.
- [XLIII: The Planet Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xliii-the-planet-mars): The role of public sentiment and political maneuvering in shaping Cowperwood's business prospects and the university's ambitions.
- [A Franchise Obtained](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xliv-a-franchise-obtained): The chapter shows how political power is wielded through manipulation of public image and private secrets.
- [American Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/xlvii-american-match): The silver agitation and the rise of a populist political leader reflect the tension between the moneyed elite and the masses, influencing financial markets and Cowperwood's strategies.
- [A New York Mansion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/l-a-new-york-mansion): Cowperwood's fear of losing political control over city council; his enemies plan to use elections to break his power.
- [Wanted—Fifty-Year Franchises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/liv-wanted-fifty-year-franchises): Newspaper agitation and public sentiment threaten Cowperwood's franchise plans, showing the power of media and democracy in shaping business outcomes.
- [Cowperwood and the Governor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lv-cowperwood-and-the-governor): The chapter details how newspapers, rival financiers, and the governor's political ideals shape the outcome of Cowperwood's legislative scheme.
- [LVIII: A Marauder Upon the Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lviii-a-marauder-upon-the-commonwealth): The chapter shows how newspapers and reform delegations mobilize public sentiment to influence legislative outcomes, creating a high-stakes political battle.
- [LIX: Capital and Public Rights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lix-capital-and-public-rights): The battle over the franchise is fought in newspapers, cartoons, and public sentiment, with politicians like Governor Swanson weighing the power of the people against capital.
- [LXI: The Cataclysm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lxi-the-cataclysm): The battle over the franchise is fought through newspapers, public meetings, and political intimidation.

## Links

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