Morley Ernstein; or, the Tenants of the Heart

"Morley Ernstein; or, the Tenants of the Heart" by G. P. R. James is a love story from the 1800s about Morley Ernstein who is trying to figure out life while dealing with love, sadness, and what it means to be human. The story starts by thinking about the battle between what is physical and what is spiritual, which sets up Morley's self-discovery while dealing with wealth, pain, and unexpected relationships. When he is twenty-one, Morley considers life in his family home, even though he has everything, he is still sad because he understands that nothing lasts. He is also sad because his parents are gone. His inner struggle becomes clear when he meets Juliet Carr after saving her as he rides through the countryside. Morley then becomes interested as Juliet's innocence draws him in. A near death experience brings him deeper into connections, destiny, and the emotional struggles of being a young adult, hinting at the personal changes coming in his life.