A Mere Accident

"A Mere Accident" by George Moore is a late 1800s story that looks at social class, how families work, and the differences between country and city living in England. One main person is John Norton, Mrs. Norton’s son, who struggles with what he feels about his home, what society expects of him, and his own conflicting feelings. The story starts by showing a clear picture of Thornby Place and the pretty English countryside around it introducing Mrs. Norton, who knows that her son John seems far away and doesn’t come home much then it shows her worry about how John doesn’t want to get married or take care of their land. As Mrs. Norton talks with her friend Mr. Hare, she makes it clear that she has plans for John's future, but he is dealing with who he is, his dreams, his own ideas. The story shows how the characters want different things and believe in different things, which might cause trouble later on.