Summary

“The Mark of Cain” is a short story about a young woman who is married to a man, Caleb. The young woman is never given a name. Her husband has an identical twin, Jacob, and sometimes they switch places for days at a time. The young woman does not acknowledge their deception.

Jacob and Caleb’s alcoholic father who physically abused his wife and children. Jacob and Caleb are completely identical, sharing the “same physique, the same haircut, the same mannerisms.” (30) They founded an architecture firm together and tell identical stories about their day at work to the young woman. Between the two brothers, the young woman quietly prefers Jacob’s company, although she is married to Caleb. The pair shares a passionate intimacy that she does not feel when is with Caleb.

Jacob’s girlfriend Cassie is a graduate student...