Summary
Adams crosses the threshold from dreamer to doer, but his transformation reveals the messy reality of major life changes. After years of swearing he'd never start his own business, he moves with startling speed once he decides—because, as Tarkington shows us, he's been unconsciously planning all along. He secures a run-down brick shed in a declining industrial area, the kind of place he'd been eyeing during his 'idle' walks around the city. His sudden decisiveness masks deep anxiety. He drives himself relentlessly, micromanaging workers who quit rather than tolerate his frantic energy. The irony is sharp: this man who looks like he's finally taking control is actually more powerless than ever, obsessing over what his former boss thinks of the resignation letter he had delivered. Meanwhile, Alice enjoys evening conversations with Russell on the front porch, their relationship deepening even as she predicts something will go wrong. She's developed a fatalistic streak, convinced that happiness can't last, especially for someone like her. The chapter captures a crucial truth about major transitions: the moment we commit to change, we often lose the illusion of control we thought we were gaining. Adams has traded the security of employment for the terror of entrepreneurship, and his sleepless pacing reveals the real cost of his 'freedom.'
Coming Up in Chapter 18
Adams's obsession with his former boss's reaction intensifies as days pass without word. His relentless work pace and constant worry begin taking a visible toll, while the weight of his decision grows heavier with each passing day.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
He was out in his taxicab again the next morning, and by noon he had secured what he wanted. It was curiously significant that he worked so quickly. All the years during which his wife had pressed him toward his present shift he had sworn to himself, as well as to her, that he would never yield; and yet when he did yield he had no plans to make, because he found them already prepared and worked out in detail in his mind; as if he had long contemplated the “step” he believed himself incapable of taking. Sometimes he had thought of improving his income by exchanging his little collection of bonds for a “small rental property,” if he could find “a good buy”; and he had spent many of his spare hours rambling over the enormously spreading city and its purlieus, looking for the ideal “buy.” It remained unattainable, so far as he was concerned; but he found other things. Not twice a crow's mile from his own house there was a dismal and slummish quarter, a decayed “industrial district” of earlier days. Most of the industries were small; some of them died, perishing of bankruptcy or fire; and a few had moved, leaving their shells. Of the relics, the best was a brick building which had been the largest and most important factory in the quarter: it had been injured by a long vacancy almost as serious as a fire, in effect, and Adams had often guessed at the sum needed to put it in repair. When he passed it, he would look at it with an interest which he supposed detached and idly speculative. “That'd be just the thing,” he thought. “If a fellow had money enough, and took a notion to set up some new business on a big scale, this would be a pretty good place--to make glue, for instance, if that wasn't out of the question, of course. It would take a lot of money, though; a great deal too much for me to expect to handle--even if I'd ever dream of doing such a thing.” Opposite the dismantled factory was a muddy, open lot of two acres or so, and near the middle of the lot, a long brick shed stood in a desolate abandonment, not happily decorated by old coatings of theatrical and medicinal advertisements. But the brick shed had two wooden ells, and, though both shed and ells were of a single story, here was empty space enough for a modest enterprise--“space enough for almost anything, to start with,” Adams thought, as he walked through the low buildings, one day, when he was prospecting in that section. “Yes, I suppose I COULD swing this,” he thought. “If the process belonged to me, say, instead of being out of the question because it isn't my property--or if I was the kind of man to do such a thing anyhow, here would be something I could probably get hold of pretty cheap. They'd...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of False Control - When Taking Charge Makes You More Powerless
The illusion that taking decisive action gives us control, when it often just changes what we're powerless over.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between real agency and the frantic activity that masks powerlessness.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're working harder to control outcomes versus working smarter to influence what's actually within your power.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Industrial district
A section of a city where factories and manufacturing businesses were concentrated, often becoming run-down when industries moved or failed. In the early 1900s, these areas could quickly shift from thriving to 'slummish' as economic conditions changed.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in rust belt cities where old manufacturing areas become cheap real estate for startups or artists' studios.
Rental property investment
The practice of buying real estate to rent out for income rather than live in yourself. Adams had considered this as a safer way to improve his finances before taking the bigger risk of starting his own business.
Modern Usage:
This is still a popular side hustle - people buy houses or apartments to rent out on Airbnb or as long-term rentals.
Small business startup anxiety
The overwhelming stress that comes with leaving steady employment to start your own company. Adams experiences the classic entrepreneur's paradox - finally having control but feeling more powerless than ever.
Modern Usage:
Anyone who's quit their day job to freelance or start a business knows this feeling of freedom mixed with terror.
Unconscious preparation
The psychological phenomenon where we mentally rehearse major life changes long before we admit we're considering them. Adams had detailed plans ready because he'd been thinking about this move for years while denying it.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone suddenly quits a job they claimed to love - they've usually been planning their exit for months without realizing it.
Micromanagement under stress
The tendency to obsessively control every detail when feeling anxious or insecure. Adams drives away workers by hovering over them because he's terrified of failure.
Modern Usage:
This happens in every workplace - stressed bosses start breathing down everyone's necks and wondering why people quit.
Fatalistic thinking
The belief that bad things are inevitable and you have no control over your fate. Alice has developed this mindset, convinced that her happiness with Russell can't last.
Modern Usage:
Social media is full of this - people posting 'waiting for the other shoe to drop' when things are going well.
Characters in This Chapter
Adams
Anxious new entrepreneur
Takes the leap into business ownership but immediately becomes a controlling, sleepless wreck. His frantic energy drives away workers and reveals how unprepared he actually is for independence.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who quits corporate to start his own company then texts employees at midnight
Alice
Pessimistic daughter
Enjoys romantic conversations with Russell on the porch but can't shake the feeling that something will ruin her happiness. She's developed a defensive pessimism to protect herself from disappointment.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who's finally dating someone great but keeps saying 'it's too good to be true'
Russell
Patient suitor
Continues his evening visits and conversations with Alice, seemingly unaware of her internal anxiety about their relationship. His presence represents the happiness she's afraid to trust.
Modern Equivalent:
The steady boyfriend who doesn't realize his girlfriend is waiting for him to leave
The workers
Practical employees
Quit rather than tolerate Adams' nervous micromanaging, showing how his anxiety is sabotaging his business from day one. They represent the reality check he desperately needs.
Modern Equivalent:
Employees who ghost their micromanaging boss instead of giving two weeks notice
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It was curiously significant that he worked so quickly. All the years during which his wife had pressed him toward his present shift he had sworn to himself, as well as to her, that he would never yield; and yet when he did yield he had no plans to make, because he found them already prepared and worked out in detail in his mind."
Context: Describing how Adams suddenly moves fast on starting his business after years of resistance
This reveals the psychology of major life changes - we often resist what we're already planning. Adams' quick action shows he'd been unconsciously preparing for this move while consciously fighting it.
In Today's Words:
He'd been telling everyone he'd never quit his job, but when he finally did, he already knew exactly what to do - because he'd been thinking about it all along.
"Something's sure to spoil it all, but it's lovely now."
Context: Thinking about her evenings with Russell on the porch
Alice can't enjoy present happiness without expecting future disaster. This defensive pessimism protects her from disappointment but also prevents her from fully experiencing joy.
In Today's Words:
This is too good to last, but I'll enjoy it while I can.
"He found himself continually glancing toward the window that looked in the direction of his old place of business, as if he expected to see some sign of what his former employer thought of the letter he had sent."
Context: Adams obsessing over his former boss's reaction to his resignation
Even after making his bold move toward independence, Adams is still mentally tethered to his old job. This shows how difficult it is to truly break free from situations that defined us.
In Today's Words:
He kept checking to see if his old boss was talking about him, like stalking an ex on social media.
Thematic Threads
Control
In This Chapter
Adams frantically micromanages his new business while obsessing over his former boss's reaction
Development
Evolved from his earlier passive acceptance to active but misdirected control attempts
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you make a big change but find yourself more anxious, not less.
Class Anxiety
In This Chapter
The run-down brick shed represents Adams's fall from middle-class respectability to industrial struggle
Development
Deepened from earlier social climbing attempts to actual class mobility fears
In Your Life:
You see this when taking financial risks feels like risking your entire social identity.
Unconscious Preparation
In This Chapter
Adams's 'idle' walks were actually reconnaissance missions for his future business location
Development
Introduced here as explanation for his sudden decisiveness
In Your Life:
You might notice your mind has been preparing for changes you're not consciously ready to make.
Fatalism
In This Chapter
Alice predicts something will go wrong despite her happiness with Russell
Development
New defensive mechanism emerging from her family's ongoing struggles
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself sabotaging good things because you don't believe you deserve them.
Transition Costs
In This Chapter
Adams loses sleep and drives away workers in his desperate attempt to succeed
Development
Introduced here as the hidden price of his 'freedom'
In Your Life:
You see this when major life changes bring unexpected emotional and physical tolls.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Adams moves with surprising speed once he decides to start his business, but why does his decisiveness actually reveal how powerless he feels?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Adams obsess over his former boss's reaction to his resignation letter instead of focusing on his new business?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today—people making big life changes but then losing control in unexpected ways?
application • medium - 4
When you've made a major decision, what's the difference between controlling what you can versus trying to control what you can't?
application • deep - 5
Alice predicts something will go wrong because she doesn't believe happiness lasts. Is this wisdom or self-sabotage?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Control Zones
Think of a major decision you're considering or recently made. Draw three circles: what you can fully control, what you can influence but not control, and what's completely outside your power. Notice where you're spending most of your mental energy—is it in the right circle?
Consider:
- •Your energy follows your attention—where are you focusing?
- •Anxiety often lives in the 'influence but can't control' zone
- •The most productive action happens in your full control circle
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you made a big change but then obsessed over something you couldn't control. What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 18: The Weight of Guilty Conscience
What lies ahead teaches us guilt can consume your thoughts even when you try to justify your actions, and shows us success built on questionable foundations feels hollow and anxious. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.