Spark Notes on: "The Other Two" by Edith Wharton
- Context- Edith Wharton was born on January 24, 1862 in New York, and died at age 75 in France. She married her husband Edward Robbins Wharton at age 18, who was 12 years older than her. She later divorced him in 1913. Her writing was influenced by her lavish living while growing up, and her travels all over Europe. This story is a product of that influence, the main characters are apart of a high class society in New York City. The lie in a house where butlers, maids, and nurses are at their every beck and call.
- I chose this story because the title sounded intriguing."The Other Two" automatically made me think of people and secrets, because when I mention "other" that means that I have previously held back some information. As I went on to read the story, I found out that the story wasn't about lies but, more about surprises.
- Plot Overview- Mr. and Mrs. Waythron sit at their dinning room table discussing their day. It is explained that the newly weds had to cut their honeymoon short because of Lily, Alice's daughter from a previous marriage, whom is very ill. Alice Waythorn is a two time divorcee, mentions to her now husband Mr. Waythorn, that her first husband Mr. Haskett wants to come visit Lily. Mr. Waythorn who works on Wall Street, feels as though Mr. Haskett should see Lily but not under his roof per say. This later becomes a conflict in the story.
- On Waythron's first day back at his job he runs into Varick, Alice's second husband. They were on good terms , so Varick explains to Waythorn that his business partner Mr. Sellers, as gout. Varick offers to work with Waythrons until Sellers come back from being off work. Varick and Waythorn work together, which isn't quite awkward but weird nun-the less. Varick lets Waythron in on a secret about some extra money coming in to the work force, but since Varik has a history of dishonesty Waythron is shaky on trusting him.
- Mr. Haskett begins his weekly visit to see Lily. While waiting to visit her, he never sees Alice because the nurse lets him in the house, and Alice would rather not see him. One day, Haskett runs into Mr. Waythorn. During this meeting Waythorn begins to think of how little he knows about Haskett, yet this man is walking through his house. It is almost Wythorn is feeling some type of sympathy for Haskett, since he hasn't seen his daughter in a while and he lived far away up until a couple of years ago.
- Alice Waythorn, divorcee of Mr. Gus Varick and Mr. Haskettis now currently married to Mr. Waythor, living with her daughter Lily, from her first marriage who is terminally ill. Waythorn works on Wall Street and has ties to people in high places. Haskett is now trying to become apart of Lily's life, now that Lily only has 12 good years left to live. Alice is hesitant to let this happen although Waythorn says that Mr. Haskett should be able to see Lily. Vacrick runs into Waython at work, and they began to work together , and Varick tells Waythron that there will be some extra money coming into their work field.
- Character List- Mr. Waythorn- The Current Hisband of Alive Waythorn. Works on Wall Street with Gus Varick. He is the Protagonist.
- Alice Waythorn-She was Divorced Twice from Gus Varick and Mr. Haskett. She is also a stay at home mother with her very ill daughter Lily. She is the Antagonist.
- Gus Varick- He s=is the ex-husband of Alice Waythorn. He also works with Mr. Waythorn. He is trying to create a new reputation for himself in his work space.
- Mr. Haskett- He is the father of Lily. He is also the first husband of Alice, and little is know about him.
- Lily- Daughter of Alice Waythorn and Mr. Haskett. She is very sick and has very little time to live.
- Mr. Sellers- Mr. Waythorn's partner, and allows Mr. Varick to study under him. He also has gout.
- Analysis of Main Characters- Mr. Waythron- Mr. Waythron is the third and current husband of Alice Waythorn. He works with Gus Varick, Alice's second husband. He is the Step father of Lily, and tries to settle the conflict of visitation between Mr. Haskett and Alice. Although Waythorn strongly dislikes the thought of Mrs.Waythorn seeing or talking to Haskett. He feels as though his wife is "as easy as an old shoe".
- She has been through so many marriages (his exaggeration), that all of that has caused these many conflicts in their marriage. The conflict that comes in between their marriage; that only allow Mr. Haskett to see his daughter under strict conditions. Also, that whenever Alice Waythorn talks to her ex-husbands, Mr. Waythorn becomes worried. Mr. Waythorn, besides being loving, friendly, and sometimes worrisome, is also insecure. Mr. Waythorn is also the protagonist in this story.
- Alice Waythorn- Alice Waythorn has divorced twice, Mr. Haskett and Gus Varick. She had a child named Lily with Mr. Haskett, her first husband. She is currently married to Mr. Waythorn. The three of them (Her, Her current husband, and Lily) live together in New York. She has a lot of conflict with her other husbands, and she causes most of the conflict throughout the story.
- She is a very confused woman. You can tell that she is confused from the many marriages that she has had, that have not been successful. She lets her husband control most of her decision making. Also, if she were to do something Mr. Waythorn did not approve of they would argue until it became a lecture from Mr. Waythorn. Alice is the antagonist in the story.
- Theme- The major themes in this story are Secrecy, Honesty: Truth, and Distrust
- In the begging of the story their is a background on Alice and her past wedded relationships. It is said that their is not much to know (at least from the reader's point of view) about her first husband , Mr. Haskett. Although their is much to know about him, we soon find out that she has told the truth about him to Mr. Waythorn. Also their is a lot of secrecy between Mr. Varick and Waythorn although that is his business partner. Varick even has a history of dishonesty and shady business in their work place. All throughout the story their is a mood of distrust between and Mrs. Waythron, as if Mr. Waythorn doesn't trust his wife around her ex-husbands.
- Important Quote- The quote "as easy as an old shoe", is the main topic, and the best way to describe Alice Waythorn. In view of Alice's many marriages their is now conflict between her, and all of her past spouses with her and her current husband. The quote is also referring to how easily manipulated Alice is. An old shoe can be bent with out bending back on its own, Alice's making is mainly made by Mr. Waythorn and she usually does not question the final decision.
