Jessica Cook
English 444
Rick Van Noy
Nov. 15, 1999

Whose Fault is It?

    The novels of William Dean Howells are based upon his theories and experiences in life. It was inevitable that Howells would eventually turn to writing, considering that he wrote reviews for both, Harpers Weekly and the Atlantic Monthly. He also spent a great deal of time surrounded by friends such as, Henry James and James Russell Lowell, who
also persuade literary careers. Howells turned to writing to give his perceptions of life a voice. He chose to portray the real or true aspects of life, this philosophy is what associates him with the Realist Movement in literature.
   

    Howells uses different moral and social issues as the framework for his novels. Howells' Pragmatic Theories are also very evident in his characters and their experiences. His stories are based upon the characters and their experiences. The themes of his stories are usually a summation of the characters experiences, actions, and consequences.
Howells' story, A Modern Instance, has all of these features.

    A Modern Instance, deals with moral and social issues of a bad marriage. Howells focuses on the courtship and marriage of Bartley Hubbard and Marcia Gaylord. We are given their individual characteristics and a sequence of events that eventually leads to the decline of their relationship. Howells pays specific attention to their character background and goals in life. He attributes both of these factors to their marital problems. We are given the impression that each character is equally responsible for the decline of the marriage.

    Bartley, the protagonist and husband in the story, has many redeeming qualities that Howells highlights during the course of the novel. We are frequently told that Bartley possesses a great deal of intelligence. He is also handsome and very ambitious. He is very witty and," …this free joking way of Bartleys was one of the things that made him popular (22)". All of these facets give us the impression that Bartley will be successful and improve upon his station in life.

    Bartely does possess many admirable qualities, but it is the negative qualities that undermine his marriage. The biggest factor is his lack of ethics. Bartley is always trying to attain success and admiration from others. We get the impression that he would do about anything to get what he wants. He is very manipulative and never takes the responsibility for any of his actions. He always places the blame on someone else.

    Marcia Gaylord, who becomes Mrs. Hubbard, is very pretty and has a great sense of style. "She had a good education; she had been away two years at school (21)". Her education and beauty set her apart from the
other small town girls. Marcia also adores Bartley to the point of worship. She becomes incessantly jealous whenever Bartley pays attention to any other woman. Marcia also nags Bartley about becoming a Lawyer. She does not understand his goals. These negative characteristics are what eventually drive her husband away.

    The couple's relationship seems to be governed by fates incidental hand. We see these intervening circumstances throughout their relationship. The final factor in their relationship seems to be a combination of coincidence, and mistakes they both have made. Marcia has lost faith in Bartley because he stole another man's story and allowed one of his friends to take the blame. When Marcia decides to return home and settle the disagreement, she encounters a girl that Bartley had paid a considerable amount of attention. The girl leads Marcia to believe that there was more to her relationship with Mr. Hubbard. When Marcia returns home she accuses Bartley of seeing the girl. He is tired of her jealousy and nagging so he leaves, and does not return.

    A Modern Instance, is not a difficult novel to read. Howells is able to keep the readers attention by never revealing the outcome until the very end. The reader can easily identify with the characters. As in the novel, The Rise of Silas Lapham, there is no outstanding plot. The characters and their actions dictate the flow of the story. Howells wants the readers to come to their own conclusions.