The Front Yard, and Other Italian Stories

A collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The narratives focus on various characters navigating life and personal aspirations in the context of Italian settings, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and cultural identity. The leading character in the opening story, Prudence Wilkin, is a New England woman who struggles to adapt to her new life in Italy while yearning for the comfort and respectability symbolized by the ideal of a front yard. At the start of the book, Prudence is introduced as a hardworking widow living in Assisi, burdened by her demanding household that includes her elderly mother-in-law and several children, all while fantasizing about creating a front yard free from the stench and chaos of a neighboring cow-shed. Her thoughts reveal a deeper longing for a sense of self and beauty cultivated through hard work and dreams. The scene is set with Prudence’s reflections on her challenging domestic life, her ambitions for improvement, and the dynamics with her family members, foreshadowing the struggle for fulfillment amid her harsh realities.