# Marriage and Infidelity in The Story of Ivy

> Theme guide for The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/ii): Ivy's flirtation with Rushworth and her secret relationship with Gretorex strain her marriage to Jervis.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/iii): Ivy, though married to Jervis, pursues an emotional and potentially romantic relationship with Rushworth, while Rushworth considers marrying Bella.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/v): Ivy's affair with Gretorex and her emotional infatuation with Rushworth highlight her marital discontent.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/themes/marriage_and_infidelity
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/themes