A Modern Instance
A Modern Instance, published in 1882 by William Dean Howells, is a realistic novel that examines the complexities of marriage and divorce within a small American community. The story follows Bartley Hubbard, a dishonest journalist, and his wife Marcia Gaylord, as their once-loving relationship deteriorates under societal pressures and capitalistic greed. Notably, it is the first serious treatment of divorce in American literature, marking a significant shift in the portrayal of marriage and ethical dilemmas in the context of contemporary American life.
