Society's Expectations

The author explores the idea of society's rules and expectations through the eyes of multiple characters, each dealing with the expectations of their immediate community which is affected by the time in which they live. While some of the characters learn to live within the confines of what is expected, others find that they are willing to live with at least a degree of social censure to live personally fulfilling lives.

Mary Todd grew up a half century before her granddaughter, Katie Baxter. During the mid-1900s, social expectations were strict with regard to how young ladies were to conduct themselves, and most of these restrictions were very specifically defined. One day, Mary was riding the bus when she encountered Robert Gibson. He smiled at her and Mary, based on the social dictates of the time, should have lowered her eyes. Instead, she met Robert's...