Ragged Lady — Volume 2

"Ragged Lady — Volume 2" by William Dean Howells is a book that carries on the tale of Clementina Claxon as she deals with tricky social situations and friendships while journeying with Mrs. Lander, first in New York and then across the Atlantic. The novel explores big ideas about who we are, how society sees us based on our background, and what's expected of us, all seen through Clementina's eyes as she meets new people. The story kicks off with a warm welcome back to their New York hotel, followed by discussions about heading to Europe with Mrs. Milray, who takes a special interest in Clementina. As they mix with different people, Mrs. Lander shares her thoughts on characters like the Milrays, while Clementina wonders where she fits in, bringing up questions about sticking by each other, what power social status has, and how innocent young people can be as they get ready for a life-changing trip to Europe.