Blanche: A Story for Girls

"Blanche: A Story for Girls" by Mrs. Molesworth explores the life of Anastasia Fenning, a young girl whose health leads her from England to France, where she finds love, marries Henry Derwent, and starts a family. The early part of the story looks at themes of love, loss, and the difficulties of adapting to new surroundings, especially when Anastasia becomes a widow and faces new duties. Initially, we see Anastasia adjusting to her new French life, falling in love with Henry, and marrying him despite her father's worries about their future distance. After her father's death, Anastasia deals with her grief, finding peace in her marriage. But, this security is shattered by Henry's death, which forces her to raise her daughters, Blanche and Stasy, in France on her own. These opening events set the scene for their eventual return to England, touching on themes of identity and belonging as they learn to live through change.