The Relentless City

"The Relentless City" by E.F. Benson is a story set in both London and New York that examines money and society through its characters. The story begins with a boisterous dinner at the Carlton, introducing the flamboyant Mrs. Lewis S. Palmer, a central figure in a social group caught up in love, money, and social class. The London life revealed in the beginning shows interesting characters involved in the social scene, and as dinner goes on, Mrs. Palmer's stands out, especially when compared to the quieter people there, like Charlie Brancepeth and Bertie Keynes. Their discussions about wealth and dreams of American wealth show a doubting attitude toward the changing social world. The story sets the stage for the characters' upcoming trip to America, hinting at their search for wealth and happiness in the relentless city, all while showing the funny and complicated connections between them.