Because I couldn’t get enough of There Will Be Blood, I ended up reading Oil! by Upton Sinclair (1926) So here I am, sharing my chapter-by-chapter thoughts and summaries. Enjoy!
Chapter I - Joy Ride The novel opens with the description of a trip, told in the third person narrative. It told about a boy, named Bunny that taking a business trip with his Dad, Mr. Ross. The narration romanticizes the road trip Bunny's taking with his dad: the dad himself, the setting, the mountains and hills, the advertisement signs along the road, and even the way other cars pass them. Although the trip is clearly a business one, involving a deal his dad needs to close, it is filtered through the son’s admiration.
At one point, the two encounter a difficult clay road and have to attach chains to their wheels in order to get through. In San Geronimo County, they stop at a gas station to have their vehicle greased. There, they spot the “speed cop” who has been tailing them and notice that he is now chasing a speeding motorcycle. Throughout this opening, the son deeply admires his father and begins to learn how to see the “real” world through him.
The chapter also describes the father’s characteristics when they stop to change the chains, pass poor people along the road, and interact with others. The father is portrayed as being focused mainly on business, driven by his desire to succeed and to pass that success on to his son, so that his son can follow in his footsteps without experiencing the hardships his father endured. We also learn the real names of the main characters: the father is Jim Arnold Ross, an oil operator who has a new well producing four thousand barrels at the Lobos River, and the boy is Jim Arnold Ross Jr., nicknamed “Bunny.” They later have dinner at the Elite Café, where they order their meal. The chapter ends with their meeting with Ben Skutt, the “lease hound” in Beach City.
In this chapter, Sinclair clearly wants the reader to see and feel the setting of the novel. He describes the rise of an empire through a boy’s eyes, how cities grow, the increasing use of motorcars, and even how bureaucracies function within the legal and police systems. Through these details, Sinclair presents a portrait of early twentieth-century America in the midst of rapid modernization and expansion.
However, this idealized portrayal also suggests that the narrative is only at its beginning. As implied by the title Oil!, Sinclair prepares the reader for a deeper exploration of the force that enables and sustains this growth. Beneath the romance of progress and success lies the true engine of this emerging empire: oil.
Chapter II - The Lease This chapter begins with the lease that Mr. Ross (Dad) plans to take and introduces the oil field and its landowners. We learn about their backgrounds and the size of their lots: big lots, medium lots, and small lots. All of them agree to meet with Mr. Ross and other landowners at Mrs. Groarty’s house. However, when the meeting happens, a dispute breaks out about the shared royalty they will receive. The question becomes whether owners of small lots should receive the same amount as those with medium or large lots.
This chapter also gives us what feels like the original script for There Will Be Blood. We see the first introduction of an oilman figure, very similar to Daniel Plainview, trying to convince people to sell their land. I can now clearly see where Paul Thomas Anderson took inspiration and brought the characters and the tense meeting scene to life.
We are also introduced to Paul Watkins, who we known him as Paul Sunday in the film. He tells Bunny about his father’s ranch and hints that there might be oil there. One thing I really like about the novel is that it gives more time and depth to Paul’s character than the film does.
This chapter also shows how greed works. When money is involved, people tend to care only about themselves. They don’t care about others, even when those people are their neighbors and are clearly poorer. The chapter ends with the deal falling apart. As Mr. Ross puts it, “I wouldn’t take their lease if they offered it as a gift.” He then moves on to another meeting, this time with Mr. Bankside.
Chapter III - The Drilling As the title suggests, this chapter focuses on the process of drilling oil. We are taken through the early stages of drilling and introduced to all the people involved: plumbers, road authorities, and county officials. As the chapter explains how drilling works and describes the harsh conditions in the oil fields, we also learn technical drilling terms such as twist-off, breaking out, stand, overshot, and fishing. I really like this part because it is very detailed and makes the process feel real.
We also get more background on Paul Watkins through Mrs. Groarty’s story when she talks to Bunny.
Mr. Ross eventually rents a house in Beach City near the ocean. New characters are introduced here: Grandmother, Aunt Emma, and Mr. Eaton, who all move into the Beach City house as well. Later, we also introduce to Bertie, Bunny’ sister, two years older and more interested in social standing and avoiding the “vulgar” details of her father’s oil business. Next, there is trouble with the well at Lobos River, and Mr. Ross has to go there to see it himself. Bunny insists on coming along. After fixing the problem, they return to Beach City.
The chapter continues to show the difficulties of the drilling process and how Mr. Ross overcomes them. In the end, Bankside–Ross No. 1 successfully produces oil.
Chapter IV - The Ranch In this chapter, we finally get a glimpse of Bunny’s mother. It seems that Bunny’s parents are divorced, as she is introduced as Mrs. Lang. We learn that Jim Ross sends his ex-wife only $200 a month, which she considers far too little. There is tension between them, though the novel doesn’t explore it deeply at this point.
As the title suggests, this chapter focuses on the Watkinses’ ranch. Bunny cannot stop thinking about Paul and his sisters, so he asks his father to go quail hunting in San Elido, where the Watkins family lives. Mr. Ross hesitates at first, but when Bunny mentions that there might be oil there, and that his father could buy land, in the end Mr. Ross agrees.
They travel to Paradise in San Elido. The chapter carefully describes the land: the hills, the ground, and the overall condition of the ranch. Eventually, they meet the Watkins family: Abel, Eli, their mother, Ruth, Meelie, and Sadie. Mr. Ross tells them that he and Bunny are simply camping and hunting quail. Abel offers help and asks Eli to bring water, goat’s milk, and whatever else they need.
While they are camping, an earthquake occurs. The next day, Bunny discovers oil. Father and son inspect it, and Mr. Ross excitedly tells Bunny that he might want to buy the ranch. Mr. Ross also tells Bunny that he must not say anything about the oil, because he has no intention of paying oil royalties to the Watkins family.
Mr. Ross then meets with Abel to discuss buying the ranch. After some negotiation, the Ross family buys the land. Mr. Ross tells Abel that his family can continue living on the ranch as long as they want, but they will have to pay $10 a year in rent.
At the end of the chapter, Paul returns to visit his family and gives them $15. He learns that his father has sold the ranch and becomes furious. Paul tells Abel that Mr. Ross bought the land because of the oil, and that Paul himself was the one who told Bunny about it in the first place.
I may not have mentioned this earlier, but as I read further, I began to notice a growing conflict in Bunny’s mind. Through the perspective of a thirteen-year-old boy, we see a struggle with moral values. Bunny begins to understand that some choices, especially those involving power and money, can deeply harm other people. Yet those choices are still made, because that is “how life works.”
There is a constant inner battle: Is this right, or is this wrong? Bunny is forced to judge himself, but at the same time feels powerless to change what is happening. In the end, he follows along, and now, it becomes Bunny’s turn to decide what kind of person he will become. He still not dare to tell them.
Mr. Ross in the end buy all the ranches in Paradise, but one, owned by Mr. Bandy, because away at the time.
Chapter V - The Revelation Bunny has now gone to high school, where he meets a young girl named Rosie Tantor. Meanwhile, Mr. Ross’s business continues to grow. He is very successful, has a new and impressive office, and owns many producing wells. However, the land he bought from the Watkins family and their neighbors has not yet been drilled. The process is delayed because there is still one ranch not under his control, owned by Mr. Bandy. The old man grows suspicious when he realizes that Mr. Ross has been buying up all the land in Paradise, and he demands a much higher price than the others received.
At the same time, World War I is underway, and this means even more profit for Mr. Ross. He is making money from both the Allies and the Central Powers. Bunny begins to question this, how can they be taking advantage of the suffering of men dying on the battlefield?
During the Christmas holidays, Mr. Ross and Bunny return to Paradise to hunt quail. This trip is really Bunny’s idea, because he cannot stop thinking about the Watkins family, especially Paul and Ruth. They learn that Paul has recently visited Ruth and given her a book. Because the book contains ideas about freedom and independent thinking, Ruth’s father beats her and burns the book. Bunny is deeply disturbed by this and begs his father to do something.
They visit the Watkins family and try to reason with them, using a strange strategy: Mr. Ross claims to bring a “new revelation,” saying that Paul is the chosen one and that free thinking is acceptable. Mr. Ross believes this is the only way to persuade the Watkins family, since they are deeply religious and stubborn. However, Eli strongly opposes this claim. He demands proof, if Paul is truly chosen, can he heal the sick as Eli does? It turns out Eli has become a preacher and has gained fame for supposedly curing people. The meeting turns hostile, and the Watkins family forbids Ruth from speaking to Bunny and Mr. Ross again.
The next day, while hunting, Mr. Ross and Bunny discover an abandoned ranch, the Rascum place, and consider using it for future visits. Later, in town, they hear loud voices coming from a church. It is Eli, preaching and using Mr. Ross’s words from the day before. Bunny is stunned. Yet the image of Ruth being beaten stays with him.
Three months later, they return to Paradise and stay at the Rascum place. Mr. Ross asks Abel Watkins to inform the children to help prepare the ranch. Bunny is overjoyed to find that Paul has returned and is working there with Ruth. Bunny eagerly questions Paul and introduces him to his father. Paul explains that he has been working for a lawyer who recently died and left him an entire library. Paul spent three years reading these books and has developed a deep interest in science. He hopes to work in a laboratory one day.
Mr. Ross is impressed and enjoys talking with Paul about science. He asks Paul to look after the Rascum place when he and Bunny are away and even offers for Paul and Ruth to stay there. After some discussion, they agree that Mr. Ross will build a cabin nearby, so he and Bunny can stay there during visits while Paul and Ruth remain on the ranch.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ross begins to understand why Bunny likes Paul so much. Paul becomes Bunny’s great discovery, just as important to him as the oil in Paradise.
During the summer, Bunny asks his father to return to Paradise again, using the excuse that they need to start building the cabin they had planned. Mr. Ross agrees and asks Paul and Ruth to prepare the Rascum place. While they are there, Mr. Hadacre, the real estate agent, informs Mr. Ross that Mr. Bandy is finally willing to sell his ranch at the original price. Now, Mr. Ross owns all the land in Paradise, San Elido.
Still, drilling does not begin immediately; they focus on building the cabin first. Bunny is happy, but also troubled. He wonders how he can ever tell Paul and Ruth the truth: that all the land was bought for oil, that they were cheated, and that they will never receive oil royalties. How can he admit that he and his father have been lying all this time, pretending the land was only for quail hunting?
Then comes another revelation. A major oil company, the Excelsior Petroleum Company, buys land near Paradise after discovering oil in the area. With this news, Mr. Ross tries to save Bunny’s face in front of Paul and Ruth. He tells them that since oil has been found nearby, he may start drilling as well, because he owns all the land in Paradise. Ruth accepts this explanation.
So what is the revelation of this chapter? Is it Bunny’s growing moral awareness? The return of Paul as a changed and educated young man? Mr. Bandy finally giving up his ranch? Or the confirmation that oil, inevitable and unstoppable, is coming to Paradise?
Chapter VI - The Wildcat This chapter begins with the preparation to drill a new well at the Watkinses’ ranch. Mr. Ross immediately begins organizing everything. He telephones his acquaintances, lumber suppliers, geologists, and oil workers, to begin the operation. But there is one major obstacle: the road. The road to Paradise is barely more than a sheep track. Heavy machinery cannot pass through it. If they want to build derricks and transport rigs, they need a proper road.
So Mr. Ross visits Mr. Jeremiah Carey, a county official, hoping the county board will approve building a new road. However, the board refuses, saying they have other priorities. Mr. Ross does not stop there. He goes to another man, Mr. Jake Coffey, a hay and feed dealer who has political influence. After some bargaining, Coffey agrees to help, of course expecting something in return if the well proves successful.
Here, Bunny learns something disturbing about civics and government. He realizes that what his father is doing is essentially bribery. But Mr. Ross explains it differently. He says this is simply how business and government work, that it is not really evil, just the natural result of inefficiency in large systems. Bunny hears this explanation, but deep inside, he feels uneasy. He begins to see that the adult world runs on compromises that do not feel entirely honest.
Eventually, Coffey succeeds. The county approves the road construction. Preparations move forward quickly. Workers build bunkhouses, install telephone lines, and bring water to the site. Paul helps with the preparations, showing again how capable and reliable he is.
This chapter also reveals more about Bunny’s mother. She is divorcing her second husband, who abandoned her. Bunny learns more of her past through his half-sister Bertie. His mother had left his father when he was still poor, working at a crossroads store, to marry a wealthier man. This betrayal pushed Mr. Ross to work harder and eventually enter the oil business. His success, he believes, has nothing to do with her. This is why he gives her only limited financial support. Bunny begins to see how resentment, pride, and ambition shape his father’s character.
Meanwhile, Bunny’s relationship with Rosie Taintor continues, though loosely. Their connection exists, but without deep emotional intensity. It reflects Bunny’s transitional age, he is growing, observing, but still unsure of himself.
Finally, the drilling operation begins. A ceremony is held to inaugurate the well, named Ross Junior–Paradise No. 1. Bunny is given the honor of pulling the lever. Just before the ceremony, Eli Watkins arrives in a shiny limousine, now clearly a successful and famous preacher. His sudden appearance surprises everyone. Mr. Ross, with his whimsical streak, invites Eli to bless the well. After the blessing, Bunny pulls the lever, and drilling officially begins.
However, tragedy strikes soon after. One worker falls into the well. Bunny is deeply shaken. This is his well, his project, and already someone has been hurt. Mr. Ross reacts practically, ordering the workers to retrieve the man, whether alive or dead. But Bunny cannot forget the incident. It casts a shadow over everything. He begins to realize that oil, wealth, and success come with human cost. He even connects it to the war in Europe, wondering how many lives are sacrificed so others can profit.
Then comes the dramatic climax. News arrives that a nearby well, Excelsior Carter No. 1, has struck oil. Mr. Ross and Bunny rush to Paradise. But even more shocking, their own well suddenly erupts. Oil gushes violently into the sky, followed by flames. It is both magnificent and terrifying.
Mr. Ross acts quickly, attempting to control the blowout using dynamite. Bunny and Paul help keep people away from danger. When the dynamite explodes, the well is successfully sealed, stopping the flames.
Bunny stands there in silence. He realizes that beneath him lies an ocean of oil. He is now unimaginably wealthy, rich beyond anything he had ever understood. But instead of pure joy, he feels something else: fear, awe, and uncertainty. He sees clearly now how dangerous this world is. How men risk their lives to build this wealth. How easily everything can explode.
Mr. Ross, however, sees it differently. To him, it is a victory. He calls it a Christmas gift, a bonfire of success. But for Bunny, it is something more complicated. It is revelation.
Chapter VII - The Strike At first, I thought this chapter would continue telling us about another success of Mr. Ross, or how Bunny’s well kept producing oil. But instead, this chapter turns its focus to something deeper: the conflict between labour and capital.
A year has passed since the gusher of Ross Junior–Paradise No. 1. Paradise has changed dramatically. A proper highway has been built, and the town has grown rapidly with new developments everywhere. Mr. Ross now owns several producing wells and continues to prosper. Meanwhile, the Watkins family’s condition has also improved. They have a new house, they raise goats, and grow strawberries. The girls bake cakes and pastries to sell to the workers. Life, on the surface, seems better.
However, the war in Europe is still ongoing, and the demand for oil has increased tremendously. Oil has become essential for the war, and profits in the industry are soaring. But this prosperity does not reach the workers. Their wages remain the same, while the cost of living continues to rise. They are also forced to work longer and harder to meet production demands. Because of this, workers begin organizing and demanding fair wages and an eight-hour workday instead of the exhausting two-shift system.
Paul, who is now working as a carpenter, supports the workers fully. He becomes involved with the union and, along with other representatives, meets Mr. Ross to present their demands. Mr. Ross listens and says he will bring the matter to the Employers’ Federation, since he cannot make the decision alone. However, the Federation refuses. They argue that since the country is moving toward war, it would be unpatriotic to disrupt production. Supporting the war effort becomes more important than supporting the workers.
When Mr. Ross delivers this decision, the workers respond by organizing a strike. Mr. Ross acknowledges that it is their right. He closes his oil tracts temporarily and tells the workers they may return if they choose. But tensions increase. Guards are placed around oil properties. Paul resigns from his job and becomes a union leader, encouraging others to stand with the strike.
Bunny finds himself deeply divided. On one side, he is his father’s son—the heir to the oil business. He cares about his father and wants to help him succeed. He also sees how the strike harms the business, forcing wells to shut down and creating financial uncertainty. His father is trapped too, controlled by the Federation and unable to act freely.
But on the other side, Bunny sympathizes with the workers. He knows them personally. He sees their struggles and understands their desire for a better life. He cannot deny that their demands are fair. This creates a conflict within him. He feels like he is living in two worlds, one of wealth and power, and one of struggle and injustice.
He also sees how people around him react differently. The Watkins family supports the workers, which Bunny understands completely. But Aunt Emma and Bertie show hatred and prejudice toward the union and workers. This contrast makes Bunny even more aware of the social divide.
Finally, change comes from the government itself. As America moves toward war and the state needs to pay the war cost, Congress passes laws requiring fair wages and an eight-hour workday, first for railway workers and then extending to other industries, including oil. When Bunny hears this news, he feels overwhelming joy. He dances around the house. His father is relieved too.
They go together to the oil field, and Mr. Ross cuts the barbed-wire fence surrounding the property. The strike ends, and they make a new contract with the workers.
This moment feels like both a victory and a revelation. Bunny begins to see clearly how power, money, labour, and justice are all connected.
Chapter VIII - The War In this chapter, Bunny experiences his first romantic and sexual relationship with Eunice Hoyt, the daughter of Tommy Hoyt, a wealthy businessman involved in advertising and investment. Eunice is portrayed as a free-spirited, modern, and somewhat spoiled young woman who enjoys nightlife and social freedom. Through his relationship with her, Bunny is introduced to an unfamiliar urban youth culture, very different from his life in Paradise.
At the same time, the United States is preparing to enter the war, creating a strong sense of patriotic duty among young men. Although Bunny is still too young to enlist, he plans to join the army when he becomes eligible and participates in military drills at school. Meanwhile, back in Paradise, Mr. Ross signs new government contracts and expands oil production to support wartime demand, allowing workers to return to work.
Paul is drafted and sent to a training camp, causing great anxiety for Ruth, who fears for his safety. Fortunately, Paul is assigned to construction work building army barracks rather than being sent overseas. Eli, as a preacher, is exempt from service, while Meelie marries a young derrick worker and soon expects a child.
Bunny’s relationship with Eunice gradually becomes complicated. He begins to realize that Eunice is impulsive and primarily interested in pleasure and entertainment, while he feels the need to remain responsible and think about his future. His father advises him to avoid reckless behavior and focus on long-term goals. Although Bunny develops deep feelings for Eunice and even considers marriage, she rejects the idea, preferring independence over commitment. Their emotional distance eventually leads to the end of their relationship.
During this period, news of the Bolshevik Revolution reaches America, prompting Bunny to reflect on social conflict and class struggle. While he is disturbed by the violence against the ruling class, his memories of the workers’ hardships in Paradise also make him sympathetic toward revolutionary demands. Influenced by the war atmosphere and his growing sense of responsibility, Bunny ultimately decides that he will enlist in the army after completing school.
Chapter IX - The Victory This chapter begins with Mr. Ross inviting the Watkins family to visit Paul at his military camp. The visit reveals a more sympathetic side of Mr. Ross than one might expect, especially when compared to film portrayals of similar oilmen characters. Unlike the colder image often associated with such figures, Mr. Ross shows a degree of empathy toward the Watkins family. During the visit, ideological differences between Mr. Ross and Paul become clear: Paul expresses sympathy for the Bolshevik Revolution and the working class, while Mr. Ross condemns the violence committed against the bourgeoisie.
Around this time, Bunny meets Nina Goodrich, an older student at his school. Although they nearly begin a romantic relationship, Bunny remains emotionally affected by his recent breakup with Eunice, suggesting that he is still searching for emotional stability.
Soon afterward, Bunny receives his military call-up and reports for training camp. Mr. Ross struggles emotionally with his son’s departure but ultimately allows him to go. Meanwhile, Mr. Ross expands his business interests through negotiations with Vernon Roscoe, one of the largest independent oil operators on the coast, resulting in the formation of a powerful enterprise known as Ross-Consolidated.
A farewell party is held for Bunny in Paradise. At the same time, Paul is assigned to Siberia to construct barracks along the Trans-Siberian Railway, causing deep distress for Ruth. Shortly after Bunny leaves for training, Grandma Ross dies, unable to bear the emotional strain of her grandson’s departure.
At the training camp in the American South, Bunny becomes curious about his fellow soldiers and engages them in discussions about life, love, and the meaning of war. During a summer furlough, he visits his father and learns more about the expanding oil business, including Mr. Ross’s growing involvement in the stock market.
As the Allied forces begin to win the war and Germany’s resistance collapses, public celebrations spread across the country. However, Bunny feels disappointed that the war may end before he has the chance to experience combat. Meanwhile, there is still no news from Paul, leaving Ruth increasingly anxious about his fate.
When the war finally ends, soldiers prepare to return home, and Bunny faces an important decision about his future, whether to join his father’s oil business or pursue higher education. Back in Paradise, concern for Paul continues until Mr. Ross contacts Mr. Coffey and learns that Paul is safe in Irkutsk. The news brings relief to everyone.
In the end, Bunny decides to attend college. Although Mr. Ross worries that higher education may turn his son toward idealistic views critical of the oil industry, he ultimately accepts Bunny’s decision.
Chapter X - The University Bunny enrols at Southern Pacific University (SPU), a conservative institution, largely with the support of his father. His family name carries social prestige, and he quickly becomes popular on campus. Although many young women pursue him, Bunny shows little interest. Instead, he is drawn to Henriette Ashleigh, a wealthy young woman who does not actively seek his attention.
During the Christmas holidays, Bunny returns to Paradise and learns that Paul has sent a brief and seemingly impersonal letter to Ruth. The letter appears censored, likely to prevent sensitive political information from circulating. This raises Bunny’s suspicions about the broader suppression of dissenting views.
At SPU, Bunny encounters a new history lecturer, Daniel Irving. Initially, Irving’s course focuses on memorizing battles and dates. However, students begin questioning the causes and implications behind these events, which plants what the administration might consider “dangerous thoughts.” Bunny starts to reconsider Paul’s earlier claims about Bolshevism and suspects that the American government may be concealing truths about its involvement in Russia.
As postwar peace negotiations unfold, the Allied powers, Britain, France, Japan, and Italy, publicly promote the principle of self-determination while simultaneously protecting their own territorial and economic interests. Bunny suggests to Ruth that this political climate is precisely what keeps Paul away from home.
Bunny later receives a smuggled letter from Jeff Korbitty, a soldier who served with Paul in Siberia. Korbitty describes the harsh conditions faced by American troops and questions why they remain stationed there despite the war’s official end. He claims that the public has been misled and that American soldiers are fighting for unclear, possibly economic, motives. When Bunny brings the letter to his Congressman, Korbitty is detained instead of helped.
Disturbed by this injustice, Bunny confides in Professor Irving, promising discretion. Through their discussion, Bunny learns that America’s military presence in Russia may be motivated by the interests of big business rather than democratic ideals. Inspired by this revelation, Bunny writes a letter defending the Bolsheviks for the campus publication, but it is rejected.
Attempting to bridge ideological divides, Bunny invites Irving to Paradise to meet his father, instructing him to behave cautiously. Irving presents himself as a polite and conventional guest, and Mr. Ross remains unaware of his more radical views.
Over the summer, Bunny grows closer to his sister Bertie’s social circle, including Eldon Burdick, who criticizes Bunny’s sympathy for Bolshevism. Rather than retreat, Bunny openly defends his beliefs, allowing his political identity to become known within elite society.
Eventually, Paul sends another censored letter. Meanwhile, despite President Harding’s reassurances, public skepticism about American involvement in Russia increases. At last, news arrives that American troops in Siberia will be withdrawn.
Chapter XI - The Rebel Because of his evolving political views, Bunny forms friendships with like-minded students at SPU, including Peter Nagle, Billy George, George Nikolaieff, and Rachel Menzies.
When Paul finally returns home, Bunny rushes to Paradise. Paul reveals that he and other soldiers were effectively used to secure Vladivostok and the Trans-Siberian Railroad in order to undermine the Bolshevik revolution. He compares the Russian Revolution to the oil strikes at home: in both cases, oppressed workers attempt to challenge the ruling class, while powerful financial and industrial interests work to suppress them. Bunny becomes increasingly convinced that the Bolsheviks’ cause is justified.
Soon afterward, Bunny accompanies Paul to Angel City to meet Harry Seager, an educated socialist who also served in Siberia. Bunny even brings his father to hear Seager speak at a Socialist meeting. Mr. Ross reacts with anxiety, fearing that his son’s political transformation threatens both family loyalty and business interests.
Bunny and his university friends publish an independent newsletter featuring an interview with Seager. However, within minutes of its distribution, the dean orders the remaining copies confiscated and burned. Although some copies survive, newspapers sensationalize the incident as a “red college plot,” further demonizing Seager and the students.
The group is investigated and questioned by authorities. While most escape severe consequences, Paul Nagle is expelled from the university. Within his own social and family circle, including Henriette, Bunny becomes increasingly alienated, perceived as dangerously radical.
Another blow follows, Professor Irving’s contract will not be renewed. Although Bunny attempts to intervene, the decision stands. It is eventually revealed that Billy George, one of Bunny’s supposed allies, has been informing authorities about the group’s activities, including Paul’s involvement and Irving’s private conversations.
Chapter XII - Sirens Spring is coming, and Bunny is almost twenty-one now. Since the “newspaper” incident, he feels like there’s no point continuing his studies at SPU, and starts questioning whether he should even return next year.
Back in Paradise, life goes on as usual, more or less. Paul is back and now works as a boss carpenter, and the workers even have time to read in the Rascum cabin, which surprisingly doesn’t bother Mr. Ross at al
During Easter, Mr. Ross invites his business partner, Mr. Roscoe, to Paradise to discuss development on the Bandy tract. It’s hot, dry, and uncomfortable, the desert wind doesn’t help at all.
During the visit, Roscoe asks Ross for money to support Republican political connections, basically to ensure that if their candidate wins, the oil industry won’t be disturbed. Ross agrees almost immediately. Bunny confronts him, feeling that this is a dirty game, but his father calmly explains that this is simply how things are done, just like when they first started in Paradise. Only now, they’re playing on a national level.
Bunny is disturbed but feels stuck. He starts questioning everything: Should he leave the oil business? Would that hurt his father? Could he survive without the wealth and comfort he’s used to? Is he “soft,” like Paul once said?
In the end, he decides to continue his studies. But during the summer, he realizes something uncomfortable, he’s the only one among his “red” friends who doesn’t need a job. Everyone else is working, while he has no idea what to do with his life.
Later, Bertie invites him to meet her boyfriend, Charlie Norman, on a luxurious yacht called Siren. There, Bunny meets Charlie’s mother, Thelma Norman, a beautiful but lonely woman. They connect emotionally, and she even makes a subtle move toward him, but Bunny refuses, choosing to keep things respectful. Still, rumors spread, especially since affairs seem common among the people on the yacht.
At the same time, a recession hits, affecting Ross-Consolidated. Ross begins cutting costs. Then Eli Watkins appears, asking for money to support building his temple. Ross gives him $500, seeing it as a useful future investment. When Bunny later asks his father to support a labor college instead, his request is rejected.
Chapter XIII - The Monastery This chapter highlights the growing ideological divide among radicals. Some support the Russian-style revolution, while others strongly oppose it.
Through Rachel Menzies’s family, we see this split clearly: Rachel and her father are socialists, while her brothers are communists. A meeting Bunny attends turns chaotic, filled with arguments and accusations between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Bunny is invited to Mr. Roscoe’s country estate, The Monastery. There, he meets Hollywood actress Annabelle Ames, Roscoe’s mistress, and later Viola Tracey (Vee). Bunny and Vee quickly connect.
In a playful scene at the beach, Vee teases Bunny into a race, imagining themselves as ancient Greek athletes. Beneath the fun, she shares deeper thoughts about loneliness and the hidden sadness of wealthy lives.
Chapter XIV - The Star Bunny begins noticing things that disturb him. Institutions associated with socialism are being targeted, students from certain colleges can’t find jobs, and Ross-Consolidated starts pushing out union workers. Feeling powerless, Bunny escapes back to the Monastery and spends more time with Vee. She opens up about her past, and they agree to be honest with each other, even if it risks their relationship. Their relationship becomes known to his family, and surprisingly, Bertie and Mr. Ross approve of Vee.
Back at school, Rachel faces hardship, her family is deeply involved in labor struggles. Bunny offers financial help, but she refuses. Instead, he feels compelled to support the workers more directly. At the same time, Vee is working on a film with anti-Russian propaganda, and she doesn’t want Bunny visiting the set, knowing his beliefs might clash with it.
Things escalate when Rachel’s brother is beaten and her father is jailed. Bunny tries to help by contacting his father and arranging legal support. Eventually, through bribery and influence, her father is freed.
At Vee’s film premiere, everything looks glamorous, but tension explodes when Rachel criticizes the film as propaganda. Vee slaps her, and Bunny is caught between two worlds again.
Chapter XV - The Vacation Ross and Roscoe are now heavily funding a presidential campaign (Senator Harding). Meanwhile, labor tensions continue. Eli’s religious event in Paradise seems suspicious, Paul believes it’s meant to distract people from union struggles. Bunny starts to see that Paul might be right, especially remembering the money his father gave Eli.
When a worker is jailed, Bunny secretly gives Ruth money to help, knowing his father wouldn’t approve. Later, Bunny confronts Roscoe about labor issues, but is dismissed and warned not to harm his father’s interests.
Bunny and Vee then travel to New York for her film premiere. Their differences become clearer, Vee is carefree and glamorous, while Bunny is introspective and conflicted. When Bunny learns Paul has been jailed again, he wants to act immediately, but Vee initially stops him to avoid upsetting his father. Eventually, she helps quietly through her connections, but makes him promise not to tell Ross.
They later go camping in Canada. While Vee rehearses and Bunny studies, he begins to truly respect her talent, not just her beauty. Still, tension lingers, especially around Paul and Ruth, whom Vee seems to resent.
Chapter XVI - The Killing Bunny passes his exams and returns to find everything around him in crisis. His friends are struggling, labor movements are weakening, and Paul and Ruth are living in poverty in Angel City.
When Bunny visits, he feels ashamed, how can he face them, living in comfort while they suffer? At the same time, Ross-Consolidated is thriving. Oil demand is high, profits are booming.
Bunny becomes involved in legal cases defending jailed workers. He even considers going against Roscoe publicly if necessary, showing how far he’s willing to go. Meanwhile, personal issues hit closer to home, Bertie ends up in the hospital after an abortion, asking Bunny to keep it secret.
Political corruption deepens. There are suspicions involving Roscoe, government deals, and manipulated nominations. Bunny supports Dan Irving in exposing these issues. In court, Bunny helps discredit a key witness, leading to the release of accused workers. But the chapter ends on another troubling note: a man approaches Bunny, claiming Roscoe has stolen documents and cheated him out of his land, another sign of the corruption surrounding the oil empire.
Chapter XVII - The Exposure Mr. Ross and Bunny visit Paradise, although Bunny is reluctant to go. The place has changed, Rascum’s cabin has been moved, and now the workers only go there for work. It is no longer the place Bunny once knew.
While there, Bunny is visited by Jick Duggan’s wife. Her husband, one of the oil workers, has been in jail since the last strike when Bunny was in Canada. She breaks down and describes his terrible condition in prison. Moved by this, Bunny later visits Jick himself and is deeply affected by what he sees.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Bunny rushes to his father and urges him to tell Vernon to drop the case. A few days later, the case is dismissed, the workers are freed, and Vee recovers the $10,000 she had used to bail out Paul.
Bunny shares the news with Ruth and Paul. Paul has never been prouder of Bunny. Ruth begins her nursing course, and Paul gets a job as a carpenter. However, Paul soon reveals that he plans to join the Workers’ Party. This surprises Bunny, as it could lead Paul back to jail. Still, Paul insists, he wants to fight the system, especially Vernon and the government, which he believes exploit workers. He plans to return to Paradise to teach communism.
Meanwhile, Bertie becomes engaged to Eldon Burdick. Seeing this, Aunt Emma encourages Bunny to settle down as well. He considers it, but whenever he tries to discuss it with Vee, conflicts arise, this time involving Annabelle. Annabelle receives articles linking Vernon to government bribery over naval oil reserves. This strains their friendship. While Annabelle does not directly blame Bunny, Vee suspects that he leaked information to his radical friends.
To clear his mind, Bunny spends more time with his radical friends, Rachel and Paul. He introduces them to each other; although they form mixed impressions, Bunny believes everything is still fine.
Bunny also notices that among the people he knows, Eli Watkins has become the most successful. He is building a new tabernacle, hosting his own radio show, and gaining a large following among the working and middle classes.
Bunny receives a letter from his former lecturer, Mr. Irving, who is now a correspondent for a radical press. He reports on political developments in Washington, including a senator determined to expose corruption in the oil industry, something that directly threatens Bunny’s father. Mr. Ross is angered by this, but also realizes that his own son has become an opponent of his business.
On graduation day, Bunny decides to take a year off, adopt a new identity, and experience life as a worker. His father is shocked and upset, but Bunny insists that he must understand workers’ lives to truly help them. Soon after, Mr. Ross falls seriously ill and tries to keep Bunny close by offering him a stable allowance. Bunny accepts and plans to support Rachel’s work as a secretary for The Young Student.
Chapter XVIII - The Flight To help his father recover, Bunny takes him on walks, during which they often listen to Eli Watkins’ sermons. There are rumors that Eli is fond of young, beautiful women. One day, Bunny and his father spot Eli leaving a hotel with such a woman, which amuses Mr. Ross.
Meanwhile, a new Congress begins investigating oil leases. Despite Vernon’s attempts to stop it through financial influence, the investigation continues and reveals suspicious deposits in a senator’s bank account.
After attending Annabelle’s movie premiere, Bunny returns home to find Aunt Emma in panic, men are coming to arrest his father. Bunny receives secret instructions to pick up Mr. Ross and ensure they are not followed. When they meet, Mr. Ross reveals they must flee to Canada, while Vernon has already escaped to Europe.
Vernon later asks Mr. Ross to join him in London, and Bunny insists on going along. While in Montreal, Bunny learns that Paul has been arrested again during a secret Workers’ Party meeting. Bunny also observes that although Vernon is under investigation in the U.S., he still maintains influence abroad in the oil industry.
In England, Bunny visits labor activists he has been corresponding with. This visit becomes public, prompting a warning letter from Bertie, who fears it could damage her husband Eldon’s career.
Bunny and his father then travel to Paris. Despite Bertie’s objections, Bunny plans to write about socialism. Annabelle visits them during a European screening of Vee’s film. During this time, Mr. Ross becomes interested in spiritualism after attending a séance led by a medium named Mrs. Olivier. While Bunny humors his father, Bertie is frustrated, believing it to be a scam.
Back in America, Aunt Emma becomes engaged, and Paul is released on bail. Meanwhile, Eli Watkins mysteriously disappears while swimming and is presumed dead. However, a month later, fishermen find him alive at sea. Eli claims angels carried him away, which only increases his fame.
Chapter XIX - The Penalty Mr. Ross, Bunny, and Vee seem to be living a dream during their time in Europe. While visiting Vienna, Bunny learns about the “White Terror” and writes an article about it, which he sends to Rachel to be published back home. Throughout their stay, Vee remains suspicious that Bunny is still in contact with his “red” (radical) friends. Whenever she asks, Bunny avoids the topic.
Back in Paris, Mr. Ross receives news that drilling at Sunnyside has been paused, but he is not too concerned. Instead, he becomes increasingly absorbed in spiritualism, which worries Bertie. One day, Bunny writes another article about the White Terror, mentioning Prince Morescu of Romania. However, the article is stolen from his hotel room while he is out. Two days later, Bertie calls and scolds him for continuing his involvement with radical politics, warning that such actions could harm her husband’s career. Bunny is shocked and begins to suspect that someone is spying on him.
Then comes a surprise, Paul arrives in Paris. Bunny rushes to meet him, and they exchange news about their lives and relationships. The next evening, Paul is scheduled to speak at a Communist event, and Bunny plans to attend. He lies to Vee, telling her to accompany his father to a séance so he can secretly go to Paul’s event. However, the next morning, Bertie brings bad news: Paul has been arrested. Bunny goes to the police but cannot find any information about Paul’s whereabouts.
When Bunny returns to the hotel, he finds a note from Vee. She reveals that she knows he has been lying and gives him an ultimatum, he must choose between her and his radical friends. Bunny decides to end the relationship and sends her a goodbye letter. Three days later, he hears that Vee is engaged to Prince Morescu, and that Paul has been released and is on his way back to Paradise.
Later, Mr. Ross becomes engaged to Mrs. Alyse Olivier. Bunny accepts this, and his father plans a will that leaves one million dollars to Alyse, with the rest divided between Bunny and Bertie. He also gives Bunny one million dollars’ worth of Ross stock. After the wedding, Mr. Ross and Alyse plan to spend their honeymoon in Vienna and Frankfurt, while Bunny prepares to return to California. During his journey, Bunny reads in the newspaper that the Paradise oil fields are on fire. While reflecting on everything, Bunny receives a letter from Alyse informing him that his father has died.
Chapter XX - The Dedication While in New York, on his way back to California via Washington, Bunny meets his former lecturer, Mr. Irving, who offers his condolences. They exchange updates, and Bunny begins to deal with the situation surrounding his father’s estate. He contacts his father’s secretary, only to discover that no will can be found. Bunny then reaches out to Alyse, but she denies any prior agreement and claims she intends to pursue her full legal rights to the estate.
Bunny also contacts Vernon and receives more bad news, the Ross stock his father gave him is now worthless. Amid all these problems, Bunny finds comfort in Rachel and the growing success of her publication. However, tension remains between Rachel and Ruth, as Ruth believes Bunny has chosen to side with the socialists.
Bertie returns with the intention of securing her rightful share of their father’s estate. Along with her lawyer, she questions Bunny about the will, but his testimony does not help much. After reviewing the documents, they discover that around ten million dollars is unaccounted for. Bertie suspects Vernon is responsible and blames Bunny for antagonizing him.
Meanwhile, Rachel publishes an article about Bunny’s plan to use his inheritance to support the labor movement. Bunny hopes to establish a labor college that promotes new moral values, even as the issue of the missing inheritance remains unresolved.
Chapter XXI - The Honeymoon Bunny and Rachel begin searching for a site to build their labor college, and they eventually find a perfect location at Mount Hope. During their journey, they express their feelings for each other, and soon after, they announce their engagement. Ruth receives the news warmly. She tells them that Paul will be speaking at a meeting at the Labor Temple and invites them to attend.
At his sister’s request, Bunny also visits an oil field to inspect its operations and see whether they match Vernon’s claims. There, he witnesses the harsh realities of the industry, for example, a worker whose eardrums were destroyed while trying to stop an oil flow. Bunny recalls Paul’s lesson that these ventures often cost more human effort and suffering than what they ultimately produce.
When Bunny and Rachel arrive at the venue of Paul’s meeting, they see a large, armed crowd storming inside. Bunny wants to rush in, but Rachel holds him back, fearing he will be killed. After the violence, they enter and find many people severely injured, including Paul, who has been struck on the back of the head with a steel pipe.
At the hospital, the surgeon says there is nothing to do but wait. Rachel goes to inform Ruth and brings her to see Paul. Later, Bunny reflects on how deeply Paul shaped his moral beliefs, he had always wanted to be like him but felt he never fully succeeded.
The next day, Bunny and Rachel inform Paul’s parents and are asked to bring Eli. When Eli arrives, he asks to be alone with Paul, then leaves without saying anything. That night, Eli announces on the radio that Paul has repented and returned to Christianity.
However, while unconscious, Paul begins muttering in Russian. Bunny brings someone to translate and discovers that Paul is actually reciting revolutionary phrases he learned in Moscow. Soon after, Paul dies. Overcome with grief, Ruth attempts to throw herself out of a window but is stopped by Bunny and sedated by the nurses.
Here, the narrator romanticizes the radio. How the radio connects distant audiences, delivering political news and shaping public perception. Bunny reflects on earlier days, remembering moments of dancing and listening to jazz through the radio, contrasting with the darker reality of the present he is into.
After Paul’s death, communists want to hold a red funeral for him, but Eli intervenes and arranges a Christian burial instead. Following this, Ruth becomes mentally unstable. She wanders through the hills, calling out the names of those she has lost, including Paul and Bunny.
One day, she calls out Joe Gundha’s name. That night, her body is found at the bottom of an oil well. She is later buried beside Paul.
Wandering Monologues 