Alice Adams

"Alice Adams" by Booth Tarkington is a story set in the early 1900s about a young woman named Alice Adams, who deals with challenges in her life and what her family is experiencing while trying to meet what society expects of her. The story shows what it's like for the Adams family, especially how Alice relates to her father, Virgil Adams, who is sick and unhappy with his job. At the start, Virgil is in bed and is annoyed with the nurse, which shows he's easily irritated and that there's stress in the family. We see how Alice and her mother talk about Virgil's health and job, which shows the financial pressure they're under. Alice is a bright and charming character with big dreams, but she's also stuck dealing with her family's situation. As the story begins, we see how eager Alice is to enjoy her youth and social life, even though she's aware of her family's struggles. The overlapping ideas of wanting more, being aware of self-image, and family duties make the story interesting for people who enjoy stories about characters growing up while facing the limits of society.