Spousal Abuse

The main question in this novel is whether or not the violence in Maureen and Harrold's relationship constitutes abuse. After her arrest, Mary describes her marriage in letters to a writer at the same magazine where she and her husband worked. Mary claims that Harrold forced her to have sexual intercourse before their wedding because she did not want to be intimate with him. Mary then says that Harrold would drink too much and then would become violent, often beating Mary for imagined offenses. Mary is frightened of Harrold. Eventually Mary runs away, hoping to keep herself and her baby safe. Harrold finds Mary and forces her to return home. Later, Harrold again beats Mary so badly she looks as though she was in a terrible car accident. Mary again runs away, escaping this time to Maine and changing her name.

Helen Scofield begins researching the story...