Selina: Her Hopeful Efforts and Her Livelier Failures

"Selina: Her Hopeful Efforts and Her Livelier Failures" by George Madden Martin is a story set in the late Victorian era about a young woman named Selina Auboussier Wistar facing the realities of life and the rules of her society. The story begins by painting a picture of Selina within her family's struggles, particularly their financial hardships, the narrative turns her aspirations for a brighter future and the inevitable setbacks that come with being young. Facing the financial difficulties of her family when her mother and aunt discuss financial woes, young Selina feels responsible and sympathetic. She defies convention by deciding to teach local children, driven by a desire to ease her family's burdens. The early chapters highlight Selina's naiveté and resolve as she enters a challenging world, confronting issues that reflect the changing times she lives in.