Eden: An Episode

"Eden: An Episode" by Edgar Saltus is a story about Eden Menemon, a young woman facing the expectations of society as she deals with her feelings about her upcoming marriage to John Usselex, a man with a mysterious past. Love, trust, identity, and social pressures all play a role as the characters connect in romantic and familial ways. It starts by introducing Eden and John as her engagement brings up questions about John's background, which mirrors Eden's doubts about love. We learn about Eden's life, seeing her beauty and intelligence while also sensing her inner conflicts. After becoming emotionally disappointed in a previous relationship, she meets John, who interests her even though she doesn't really care for him at first. The connection between Eden and John grows stronger because of the gossip around them and Eden's changing feelings, which could lead to problems later on.