The Rise of Silas Lapham

The Rise of Silas Lapham is a story about ambition and hubris. Silas Lapham rises from humble origins to become a very wealthy and significant man in Boston, driven by his determination to make a name for himself. His money is not enough, however, as he desires the social status that is afforded to the other Boston elites, many of whom cannot match him in terms of raw wealth. Silas covets social acceptance, though he suspects that he will never be truly accepted. His ambition, instead, is to achieve this status for his daughters and his descendants. He wishes to create a dynasty, forcing the traditionally wealthy families of Boston to reckon with the importance of the Lapham family name. He pursues this ambition through ruthless business practices (in which he betrays Rogers, his business partner), risky gambles (playing on the stock market, even though Persis has told him not to), conspicuous spending (moving the family to a fashionable neighborhood, even though they do not want to leave their home), and by marrying his daughter to a famous old family (regardless of which daughter). Each effort moves the Laphams closer to the center of Boston high society but moves Silas further away from his humble, moral roots.