A Wife's Duty: A Tale

"A Wife's Duty: A Tale" by Amelia Opie is a story set in the early 1800s, which follows a young woman named Helen after she’s recently married and struggling between what she’s expected to do and what she truly desires in a world run by men. As she reflects on her marriage, the story looks at how Helen is torn between her husband, Seymour, and her memories for a previous romantic interest. Helen's excitement as a newlywed fades when she faces her duties regarding her family and her husband's position in society. She has to deal with her husband’s friend group, and tries to keep herself the same person as all these factors put pressure on her joy.