"The Benefactress" by Elizabeth Von Arnim is a story about Anna Estcourt, a young woman living in the late 1800s, who feels trapped by her family's money problems and what society expects of her. Anna is beautiful and thoughtful, but she feels like she doesn't have any freedom while living with her rich sister-in-law, Susie. She starts to wonder if her life of parties and social events really matters, especially since Susie constantly reminds her that they depend on her wealth. Anna struggles with big questions about love, marriage, and being independent, made even harder by her brother Peter's uncaring attitude and their complicated family relationships. She dreams of finding her own way in life, but she has to deal with everyone else's expectations as she gets closer to inheriting some money.
The Benefactress
By Elizabeth Von Arnim
A young woman questions her purpose in life, while yearning for autonomy from her overbearing family.
Summary
About the AuthorElizabeth von Arnim, born Mary Annette Beauchamp, was an English novelist. Born in Australia, she married a German aristocrat, and her earliest works are set in Germany. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H. G. Wells, then later married Frank Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.
Elizabeth von Arnim, born Mary Annette Beauchamp, was an English novelist. Born in Australia, she married a German aristocrat, and her earliest works are set in Germany. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H. G. Wells, then later married Frank Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.
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