Aunt Deborah

** "Aunt Deborah" by Mary Russell Mitford is a story set in the early 1800s which explores how family members interact, who has the upper hand, and how people’s personalities shape their lives. The story centers on Aunt Deborah Thornby, a rich and cranky unmarried woman, who tries to control her family, especially her nephew Edward and his widowed mother. Aunt Deborah’s constant complaining pushes away the people who could be her friends and family. The story follows the widow's choice to flee Aunt Deborah's tight grip by moving in with John Stokes, a friendly miller and their relative, which makes Aunt Deborah angry. Even though she's tough, she sometimes shows she cares, especially for her relative’s daughter, Cicely. A big event happens when Aunt Deborah falls into a pond, and Edward saves her. This makes her rethink her relationships and be nicer, even helping Edward marry Cicely. The novel shows how complicated people’s feelings and relationships are, and it emphasizes how challenges and weaknesses can lead to change. **