The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman

"The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman" by H.G. Wells is a story set in the early 1900s that follows a young woman, Lady Harman, as she deals with her difficult marriage to the rich and bossy Sir Isaac Harman. The story looks at big ideas such as social class, who people truly are, and the limits put on women during this time, showing both Lady Harman's personal problems and the world she lives in. The story begins with Lady Harman visiting a charming house called Black Strands. There, her interactions with the potential landlord, Mr. Brumley, include her chauffeur, Clarence. The narrative is full of quiet tension as Lady Harman shows interest in the house while feeling the pressures of her controlling marriage; especially when she accidentally mentions her husband's name and business, which causes emotional conflict. The relationship between Lady Harman and Mr. Brumley hints at a possible connection which may put her existing boundaries to the test, setting the stage to for a deeper look at her character and situation.