The Rise of Silas Lapham and New Money

Much of our discussion of William Dean Howells’ The Rise of Silas Latham was focused on the upper class’ ability to act, while the rising middle class has no knowledge of the correct ways to behave. Despite their best efforts, the Lapham family cannot perform. Although the Coreys do not have as much money, they are considered aristocrats because they know how to behave properly. Howells suggests that the upper echelons of society are not merely cost prohibitive, but also impermeable for individuals that do not know the correct performances.

Although it is redeeming that Silas Lapham is one of the few authentic characters in the novel, he recognizes that he cannot be a gentleman. Thus despite his wealth, Silas fails to be accepted by families like the Coreys. For example, at the party at the Coreys Silas gets overly drunk and likes like a fool in front of all the wealthy Boston families. He laments, “I was the only one that wasn’t a gentleman there…I showed that I wasn’t fit to go with you” (209). Silas’ is unable to control his intoxication. This suggests that he is not a stereotypically masculine man. His efforts are thwarted by his inability to dress well and his characterization as a “light weight.”

The barriers between old money and new money also confuse Penelope. Like Silas, she is sensitive to the feelings of others. However, she is more outspoken and unafraid to be genuine with members of the upper class. Penelope explains to Tom Corey, “It isn’t anything they say or do…It’s what they are. I couldn’t be natural with them, and if I can’t be natural with people, I’m disagreeable” (357). Penelope recognizes that she would have to perform to be accepted by the Corey family. However, she fails to realize that “what they are” is a parody of old English aristocracy. Everything they “say and do” is disingenuous. Penelope evolves into the heroine of the novel because she appeals to the wealthy Mr. Corey. I found this to be reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Because Elizabeth can maintain her outgoing nature while being irresistible to Darcy, she moderates between the upper and lower classes.

After finishing the novel, I had to ask myself whether it is better to live a performance as an aristocrat or be constantly striving for acceptance in the bourgeoisie. I think the rising middle class solved this by refusing to emulate the upper class. Instead, they developed their own form of cultural capital that the aristocracy was forced to accept and mimic.