Avery

"Avery" by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps is a story set in the early 1900s that shows how sickness and problems with marriage can change people’s lives. It mainly looks at Jean Avery, a woman getting sicker, and her husband, Marshall, who is very focused on his job as a lawyer. Jean tries to stay strong and take care of her family, even though she is very ill, while Marshall is too busy with work to see how serious her condition is; this creates a lot of stress in their relationship and their family life. When Jean’s condition suddenly worsens, their family doctor provides immediate assistance, just as Marshall remains unaware of the seriousness of the situation; thus showing how being too focused on outside jobs and life changes can affect the people we love most. This beginning makes you feel sad and hints that the couple will feel sorry about some choices later on.