Summer

Set against the backdrop of class and gender struggles, the story follows Charity, raised by a wealthy lawyer after being surrendered by her impoverished parents. Following the death of Royall's wife, tension arises as he develops an inappropriate attraction to Charity, leading her to seek independence through work at a library. There, she meets Lucius, sparking a passionate affair that complicates her life further. As secrets unravel, Charity is forced to confront her past and make pivotal choices about her future. Wharton's rich prose captures the complexities of love and societal expectations.