Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 4 October 1848

"Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 4 October 1848" by Various is a collection of stories, poems, and essays that looks at 19th-century life and values; inside is "The Unmarried Belle" by Enna Duval, a story about Mary Lee, a beautiful woman facing the challenge of what society expects from her and her family’s influence. Starting with a memory, the story shows Mary Lee and another belle, creating curiosity about what makes her special, as the narrator's mother and her friends talk about what makes Mary so admired, pointing out the difference between natural beauty and what is created. As the story goes on, it tells of Mary Lee's life as a single woman, her important friendships, and taking care of her sick parents, presenting a blend of youthful dreams and the sad truth of not finding love and introducing Miss Lee as someone who deals with the limits of her world while staying a true friend and questioning what beauty and success mean.