And So They Were Married

"And So They Were Married" by Florence Morse Kingsley is a story set around the turn of the century that centers on Elizabeth North as she eagerly anticipates her marriage to Samuel Brewster, a civil engineer. The narrative explores the ideals of love and expectations of society, contrasting the peaceful, simple life in the country with the complex world of the city as Elizabeth prepares for her wedding. The story begins by introducing Elizabeth, her family, and her growing relationship with Sam. Mrs. North is presented as a mother who cares and worries, anxious for her daughter's return, while Elizabeth is shown as a young woman experiencing the joy of new love as her mother and grandmother talk about societal norms and proper wedding garments. This beginning lays the foundation for Elizabeth's trip through the joys and difficulties of getting married, significantly shaped by characters like Evelyn Tripp, who makes things difficult by introducing sophisticated and possibly lavish ideas.