Jonathan Harrison February 18, 2009

Edith Wharton

"He began spending money on younger women and this began to take a toll on Wharton's mental health. They divorced in 1913, after she suffered a nervous breakdown and was confined to a hospital." (wikipedia)

This quote represents the sad truth about Edith Wharton's personal life , and ramifications of such a life are written all over her stories. " The Other Two" is an in depth look at the factors that go into a marriage other than love. Edith , as the quote above recognizes, was a victim of such factors and these issues that she had to deal with are problems with which we can all relate.

The story " The Other Two" starts out by painting a picture of two newlyweds happy in their home. Mr. Waythorn, can't wait to see his wife as his mind is free, at the moment, from the issues that dampen ones excitement. The story takes a turn downhill when Mr. Waythorn realizes that his new wife's ex lovers will be forced upon his life forever. For starters Mrs. Waythorn, Alice, has a kid with her first husband and this complicates matters for Mr. Waythorn now sees the first husband on a weekly basis reminding himself that his wife is somewhat used goods. He starts to think what is wrong with this man that she has discarded and sees no faults in him, instead the opposite reaction occurs, and he starts seeing the negative in his wife. Situations only get worse as Mr. Waythorn has to work with Alice's second husband. The same thoughts and negative consequences arise and one can get a sense that the new relationship is doomed for failure. The book ends with all three men in Mr. Waythorn's house and Alice serves each men the tea, her husband last, which leave the husband to chuckle about the fact that he feels that his wife is nothing but used goods.

The story "The Other Two" is a real good glimpse into the total package that we call a relationship. Mr. Winthorn is whole heartedly in love with his wife at the beginning only to fall out of love upon learning about her ex lovers. This tactic is the way that Edith Wharton attacks the system and society that merits male permiscueness and crucifies the same actions by a women. None of the man's ex lovers is even mentioned throughout the story signifying the total lack of regard towards the fact that these men have had pasts too. Alice could care less about who her husband had been with but that is all that dominates Mr. Winthorn's mind. A women, at that time and unfortunately still today, can be judged by one act whether it be a mistake or not, and her entire life can lay on the balance of such a judgement.Edith, in her real life, must felt true pain as her husband moved from one young hussy to the next. The ironic and sad fact that came of all of this is that Edith was the one locked up in the hospital while her husband ran free. The double standard and injustice that Edith dealt with her entire married life must have eaten away at her sole and made her realize the unjust position that women are refined to. "The Other Two" is a cry for recognition, if not change, to the unfair treatment by a civilized society to a whole half of its population.