The following version of this story was used to create the guide: Gay, Roxane. Graceful Burdens. Amazon Original Stories, 2020.

Roxane Gay's Graceful Burdens is set in the fictional world of the Federated States. A speculative version of the United States, in this narrative world, the government controls its citizens via their genetic profiles. At the age of 16, each woman must undergo a screening which will determine her genetic eligibility for procreation. If she passes the screening, she receives a license, is matched to a licensed man, and forced into marriage and motherhood. If she fails the screening, she is pushed to the outskirts of society, and barred from marrying or having children.

Sidra is one such unlicensed woman. Though she does not particularly care for children, she finds purpose in her job caring for loaner babies at the Omaha Public Library. She is meticulous about her responsibilities, constantly worried that something dark might befall the infants while out on loan.

Hadley is another unlicensed woman. After growing up in a Mormon family in Utah, Hadley is crushed when she fails her genetic screening. Though her parents say she can keep living with them, finding purpose in caring for her 11 siblings, Hadley despairs at the idea. One night while her family sleeps, she sneaks out, buys a train ticket, and ends up in Omaha. She gets a waitress job and secures a diminutive apartment. Though she has nominal freedom, Hadley is perpetually distracted by her limited fate. She has no friends, and no way of altering her circumstances.

Unlike Sidra and Hadley, Seraphina is a licensed woman. Despite passing her screening, Seraphina is miserable. She hates both her husband and children, viewing her fate as a wife and mother as a burden. The only way she can survive her wretched life is by relying upon her nannies, Gabriella and Chloe, and taking an exorbitant amount of oxycodone pills. One day she discovers her nannies have departed on a five day vacation, leaving her to care for her children alone. She throws herself on the floor, unable to cope.

Feeling discouraged and sad, Hadley breaks down and visits the Omaha Public Library. Unlike the other women who borrow babies, she does not discard her intentions when she enters the building. In the nursery, she spots Gemma, the loneliest-looking baby, and asks to take her home. Sidra helps her with the arrangements, and in a few minutes, Hadley and Gemma are headed to Hadley's apartment. On the way, Hadley wonders about Gemma's mother.

Spending time with Gemma does cure Hadley's woes. Instead, Hadley feels even more bitter, hating her nation. Then, Gabriella and Chloe knock on her door. The push in, insisting they can help Hadley find meaning and purpose. They explain their work with the Society of Venus, an underground organization whose members help separated mothers and children reunite. Hadley agrees to help them free Gemma.

Together, the women travel to Thunder Bay. When they arrive, they enter a small house in the woods. Hadley feels an instant sense of relief. She reluctantly gives Gemma to her mother, praising the child's good nature. In the morning, everyone is gone but Hadley and Sue, another member of the Society. Sue says Hadley is now free to live her life however she chooses, suggesting she help her reunite other mothers and children. Hadley considers, recalling a day from her childhood that she boldly leapt from the loft of her family barn.