A Cry in the Wilderness

"A Cry in the Wilderness" by Mary E. Waller is a story about a young woman named Marcia Farrell who is trying to get away from the difficult reality of New York City after being sick for a long time. She decides to take a job as a helper for an older woman on a Canadian farm, where she begins a journey to find herself; exploring what it means to belong somewhere, and to be strong as she deals with her past and looks forward to a new life. The story starts by showing Marcia's unhappiness with city life, and her annoyance with how focused everyone is on making money and the tough situations she has to face. One hard day, she suddenly decides to answer a job posting that promises the peacefulness and clean air of the countryside. The story then switches between her actual travels and her internal battles, like when she tells Delia Beaseley about her life, who is also helping her find this job. Marcia also faces her past, and the mystery of her family history, the story hints at the topics that will play important roles in her wilderness journey of self-discovery.