Once to Every Man

"Once to Every Man" by Larry Evans is a story set in the early 1900s about Denny Bolton, a robust young man wrestling with feelings of isolation, as he lives alone in his run-down farmhouse, disconnected from the town. Denny yearns to break free from his solitary existence and dreams of finding acceptance and love, especially as the town anticipates an important event that he believes will change his life forever. The narrative sets the stage by showing Denny's longing for connection as he waits hopefully for the mail, which is one of the few human contacts he has. The story explores Denny's past, his father's legacy, and his budding relationship with Dryad Anderson, a girl from a different social status. Themes of isolation, hope, and the desire for recognition are central to the narrative.