The house of bondage

"The House of Bondage" by Reginald Wright Kauffman is a story from the early 1900s that shows the troubles faced by young women in tough city situations and how society can box them in. The story follows Mary Denbigh, a 16-year-old girl, as she deals with tough situations. Mary changes throughout the story, showing how she struggles between wanting to break free and dealing with the difficult life she's stuck in. We first meet Mary as she's growing up in a small town, feeling pressured by her family and bored with her simple life. Then, she meets a stranger named Max Grossman who changes everything, making her want to run away to the exciting city. But her wish for freedom quickly turns into a dangerous path, hinting at the even bigger problems she'll have to face later on.