The Marriages

The Marriages is a novella by Henry James, first published in 1891, set in Victorian England. It explores the complexities of love, loss, and social expectations surrounding marriage through the lens of Colonel Chart's family, particularly focusing on his daughter Adela. As Adela grapples with her father's desire to remarry after her mother's death, she perceives Mrs. Churchley as an unwelcome intruder. The narrative delves into themes of familial loyalty and the impact of social customs on personal relationships, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that reshapes their family dynamics.