With a Vengeance

The Philadelphia Phoenix, the train aboard which the events of With a Vengeance take place, serves as a symbol of power throughout the novel. In 1937, the Union Atlantic railroad company debuted the Phoenix as a luxury train experience. The Phoenix was designed by Judd at Arthur’s command, but Arthur took the credit for the Phoenix because he had the power to do so as the owner of Union Atlantic. Arthur told Judd he wanted a train that both looked and moved “like liquid mercury,” and Judd told Arthur he could design it (58). Though Judd made the Phoenix, it was Arthur’s idea, and the power remained with Arthur. After 1942, however, the Phoenix changed hands. After Kenneth’s devious plot to destroy Arthur culminated in Arthur’s murder, Kenneth bought Union Atlantic, and the Phoenix became his.

Kenneth maintains his power over the Phoenix even in 1954. Anna thinks that she obtains control over the Phoenix when she pays off the train’s employees and bribes the train’s engineer to keep the train going without stopping until Chicago. However, Anna does not realize that her control is superficial. Though the train seems empty except for Anna, Seamus, and the conspirators, Kenneth’s power over the situation remains.