You have no idea what it was like. For us. The women, I mean. The wives.
-- Narrator (Part I)

Importance: Patricia leads her letter to Rainey with these lines. Her voice and tone set a precedent for the remainder of her correspondence with her late friend Charlene’s daughter. Patricia is eager to convey her experiences to Rainey. However, she believes that because Rainey is younger, she will fail to understand her. Therefore, her words create a window into her character and establish the author’s explorations concerning the past and gender roles.

Once again, I felt the utter shame of my situation, knowing it was nothing to be ashamed of, but feeling it all the same.
-- Narrator (Part I)

Importance: Patricia’s experiences with Charlene’s infant at the garden party foreshadow Patricia’s coming encounters with loss and grief. For as long as Patricia can remember, she has wanted to become a mother. Her mishap with...