The Winepress

"The Winepress" by Christine Beals is a story set in the early 1900s that centers on Evelyn Thorpe, a minister's wife, as she wrestles with her beliefs, her sense of self, and the role she's expected to play. The story is about what it truly means to serve, try to find truth, and deal with the confusing feelings that come with being human, all set in the world of church life. When the story begins, Evelyn and her husband, Reverend Maurice Thorpe, are starting their new life at the church and the parsonage, and as they dedicate themselves to ministry, Evelyn feels troubled and thoughtful, wondering about what makes life meaningful and happy. While her husband is dedicated to his calling, Evelyn thinks about what it means to exist and have faith, often feeling like she doesn't fit into her expected role, and her thoughts show that she deeply wants to understand things amid her confusing emotions, setting the stage for questions about faith and identity.