100 pages 3 hours read

Upton Sinclair

The Flivver King: A Story of Ford-America

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1937

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 22-24Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 22 Summary

For the Shutts, the only problem with the bonus system is the increase in consumer prices that soon follows. Their rent increases from $12 a month to $20, and when Abner searches for a less expensive house he learns that landlords are raising prices all over Highland Park. Abner and Milly decide to buy a home but learn that the prices have doubled since the Ford Company’s bonus scheme was introduced:

If only Abner could have bought before the announcement was made! If only he had had a tip! Some of Mr. Ford’s associates had known, and hastened to buy land—and now they were ‘holding it’ at such and such a high price, and making it nearly as hard for the Shutt family as if there hadn’t been any bonus! (58).

The price of groceries increases, too, and Milly is unable to find a store where she can buy food at the old prices.

While ordinary workers like Abner and his family find life harder after the bonus, Ford finds his easier: he gains fame as “America’s Number One employer” (58) serves as advertising for the company, and people view buying from the company as a way of taking part in “a great philanthropic experiment” (59).

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 100 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools

Related Titles

By Upton Sinclair