Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Flivver King, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Capitalism and Dehumanization
American Idealism and Disillusionment
Misinformation, Media Bias, and Ignorance
Individualism vs. Unionization
Technology and Progress
Summary
Analysis
As Abner and Milly search for a home, a real estate agent tells them that he has the last bargain in Highland Park (a city in the Detroit area). The house has six rooms, more than they ever hoped for, and is more expensive than they wanted. They decide to take the risk and pay $3,150 (though the house was $1,000 cheaper prior to the bonus days). They pay $600 down and $20 a month, plus a very high interest rate. Because they never owned a home before, they are unaware of property taxes, and they soon find that their savings are dwindling.
Again, the novel continues to illustrate some capitalism’s problematic effects, particularly in that it often disadvantages those in the working class. This real estate agent takes advantage of Abner and Milly’s ignorance and gets them to buy a more expensive home without fully understanding the financial ramifications; like everyone else, the agent simply wants to make the highest sale possible. Thus, even though Abner is making more money than before, he has less money overall.
Themes
Meanwhile, Europe is now embroiled in a massive war. Headlines report on the war’s horrors, and Abner is glad that the United States isn’t involved. Ford also doesn’t support the war, and he refuses to sell any cars for war work. However, it’s possible that the British found a way to get hold of some cars, in spite of Ford’s conviction. During the war’s first year, Ford sells more than 300,000 cars; during its second year, 500,000, and during its third year, 750,000. But the increase may have been because other car companies supply the warring nations and leave a larger share of the American market to Ford.
Ford’s pacifism is another aspect of his initial idealism, as he clings staunchly to his decision not to become involved in World War I. However, even here Sinclair foreshadows the fact that Ford may not stick completely to these ideals. This passage leaves open the possibility that even as Ford says he doesn’t want to sell cars to the British, the British still acquire some of his cars—with or without his knowledge.
Themes
