The Most Beautiful Decision, 1929-1930 Summary and Analysis

Although 1929 brings catastrophic news about the American economy, ironically it is a terrifically good year for E.B. White both personally and professionally. He marries Katherine Angell, the divorced daughter of a successful Boston businessman with two young children. She had joined The New Yorker in 1925 to keep her mind off the impending breakup of her marriage and to learn job skills in the likely event she would need to become economically self-sufficient. At first reluctant to pursue a relationship with White because of her seniority and two young children, Katherine at last decides he is the right man for her. She leaves New York to get a divorce in Reno, marries White, and both are at their desks the next day. Most of the letters in this period are to Katharine, and...