People of the Whirlpool From The Experience Book of a Commuter's Wife

"People of the Whirlpool" by Mabel Osgood Wright is a story narrated by Barbara, who shares her experiences as a mother to twin boys while living in a changing town during the early 1900s. The story begins with Barbara in her attic, thinking about her children, Richard and Ian, and the changes happening in her community as rich New Yorkers begin to move in, transforming her peaceful town into a "Whirlpool" of new ideas and wealth. Through her memories and friendships, like the one she has with Lavinia Dorman, Barbara thinks about what motherhood and family mean to her, and worries about how these new social changes may affect her family’s way of life, mixing funny moments with thoughtful observations about growing up and finding your place in a world that's constantly changing.