The Bertrams

"The Bertrams" by Anthony Trollope is a story set in the mid-1800s that follows George Bertram and Arthur Wilkinson, two young men at Oxford, as they deal with the tough realities of ambition and the high standards of society. The book looks closely at the stress of wanting to succeed, the weight of taking care of family duties, and how failing can make someone feel about themselves. The story kicks off with a look at how competitive things were back then, showing George's victory as he aces his university exams, while Arthur deals with the letdown of not doing as well. This competition sets the stage for a relationship full of friendship, but also marked by not feeling good enough and the stress of living up to what people expect, setting the tone for the drama that will unfold throughout the novel as they consider their futures.