Only an Incident

"Only an Incident" by Grace Denio Litchfield is a story that unfolds in the late 1800s, in the made-up town of Joppa, where the elite believe they're at the top of the world. The story centers around Phebe Lane, a good-hearted but overlooked woman trapped by her community’s high standards, as she dreams of a more fulfilling life outside of Joppa's limited world. At the start of the novel, Joppa is brought to life with descriptions of its people and their self-important views. Phebe Lane is portrayed as a responsible but restless woman, wanting something more than the shallow expectations and everyday concerns around her. She is set up as the main character and a contrast to the lively people in her life, like Mr. Denham Halloway, a charming preacher who wants to shake up their unchanging society and Geraldine Vernor, a beautiful woman set in her own ways. As Phebe builds friendships with these two very different people, it opens up possibilities for her to grow and change, paving the way for her journey throughout the novel.