Broken to Harness: A Story of English Domestic Life

"Broken to Harness: A Story of English Domestic Life" by Edmund Yates is a story set in the late 1800s that explores the relationships and social pressures faced by people in England. The book begins with Frank Churchill, a writer, getting ready for a vacation at his godfather's place, hinting at possible love interests. We meet Frank at his job, met by a coworker, where they discuss Frank's writing and the idea of him getting married. As Frank plans his trip, he thinks about marriage and the expectations that come with it. The introduction of characters like his mother and Mr. Beresford suggests complicated relationships that will develop as the story goes on, where characters have to deal with what society expects and what they want for themselves.