The Story of Ivy · Theme
Marriage and Infidelity
How The Story of Ivy develops Marriage and Infidelity.
The book explores a hollow marriage where Ivy is unfaithful with multiple men (Roger Gretorex and Miles Rushworth), using her husband's illness and death as opportunities to pursue her own desires without genuine loyalty.
Where it surfaces
- II
Ivy's flirtation with Rushworth and her secret relationship with Gretorex strain her marriage to Jervis.
- III
Ivy, though married to Jervis, pursues an emotional and potentially romantic relationship with Rushworth, while Rushworth considers marrying Bella.
- IV
The central conflict revolves around Rushworth's love for a married woman and his promise to avoid such entanglements, highlighting the tension between desire and marital vows.
- V
Ivy's affair with Gretorex and her emotional infatuation with Rushworth highlight her marital discontent.
- VI
Ivy is married to Jervis but has a passionate affair with Gretorex, and is now fixated on Rushworth. The letter exposes the emotional infidelity.
- VII
Ivy's marriage to Jervis is overshadowed by her affair with Roger Gretorex and her flirtation with Miles Rushworth, highlighting the theme of infidelity.