Meg, of Valencia

"Meg, of Valencia" by Myra Williams Jarrell is a story from the early 1900s focused on a young woman named Meg Anthony and her relationships with her family and Robert Malloy, a man feeling called to a life as a monk. The book explores the themes of responsibility, what people truly want in life, and how complicated feelings can be when mixed with family expectations and what society thinks is right. The story begins with Robert Spencer and his sister Stella talking about Stella’s son, Robert, and his choice to become a monk. Their conversation shows the conflict between doing what your family wants and following your own heart, especially when it comes to how names affect who you are. Then, young Robert arrives, showing his strong connection with his mother, Stella, and soon becomes involved with Meg Anthony, a lively girl who struggles with her feelings and what her family expects of her. This sets the scene for a story about love, duty, and the search for what makes you happy.