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Summary OfThe Other Two, By Edith Wharton

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Edith Wharton is “well-known for her portrayal of the moneyed classes of the old New York” in her writings, stories, and novels. The story The Other Two is not the exception. In this story, she portrays what it was to be a woman or what society and men expected them to be. “The point of view in The Other Two is omniscient, although very closely identified with its center of consciousness in Waythorn” (Lewis). Because the story is told from Mr. Waythorn’s point of view, the reader can see the sarcasm and comic side that Wharton likes to use. She describes through this writing style what was the most important thing a woman could offer to society in that time, which was looks and appearances. The Other Two shows the importance that society …show more content…

Waythorn felt attracted to her because of the exaggerated amount of happiness she showed, plus her fresh and elastic look, which most women stop having at her age. Even that a happy face and a smile in a women are still an aspect that men find attractive until this day, it is important to not assume that the troubles of life are not going to never change that smile to a tear, or that happiness to concern. “And Waythorn thought he had never seen her look so nearly worried… ‘but try to forget about it’ he said… her face cleared at once, and as she looked at him across the flowers, between the rosy candle shades, he saw her lips wave back into a smile.” (Wharton #860) Once the husband says an order, the wife has to obey.
Mr. Waythorn did nopt allowed her to let out all of the tears she was accumulating, instead she had to forget, and enjoy a time with her husband while drinking champagne. “In a moment or two their eyes met above the sparkling glasses. Her own were quite clear and untroubled: he saw that she had obeyed his injunction and forgotten.” (Wharton #861). He saw her eyes, but did not even try to understand what was happening behind them. It must be awful to not be able to express feelings that she was allowed to have, because her husband did not want to deal with it.
“He went straight to his room and dressed without seeing his wife. When he reached the drawing room she was there, fresh and radiant.” (Wharton #863) After a long day at home with her sick child,

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