This story explores gender roles in the context of marriage. The protagonist, Mr. Waythorn, finds himself in the uncomfortable position of being his new wife’s third husband. Remember that, at the time this story was written, divorce was uncommon and a divorced woman was often looked down on as morally loose and even dangerous. As you work through the story, what do you see in Waythorn’s view of marriage and the husband’s role? When, at the end of the story, he accepts a cup of tea with a laugh in the company of his wife and her first and second husbands, is that a happy ending? Or is there some deeper problem beginning to arise?
