The curse of gold

"The Curse of Gold" by Ann S. Stephens is a late 19th-century novel that begins inside the grim walls of a hospital, illuminating the plight of women trapped in poverty and grappling with the challenges of motherhood amidst societal indifference. The greedy Madame De Marke propels the story forward, while Mary Margaret Dillon shines as a compassionate figure amidst suffering. Readers are immediately thrust into the harsh atmosphere of a ward filled with sick and ashamed women seeking shelter. The story vividly shows Mary Margaret's post-birth struggles and fragile mental state as she faces loss and despair. Jane Kelly, the nurse, embodies both kindness and cruelty as she navigates the hospital's complex moral environment. The initial contrast between Mary Margaret's kindness and the harshness of her surroundings establishes the story's themes of survival and the devastating impacts of societal neglect.