Dear Mrs. Shane

Introduction

“Dear Mrs. Shane” is an unfinished story fragment by Robert E. Howard. The typescript was first introduced to the public in the Robert E. Howard Newsletter, Volume 7, Number 2. The narrative unfolds as a letter from an unnamed woman to Mrs. Shane, wherein she recounts her personal experiences and emotional turmoil following her marriage to a wealthy young man from a rural background. The fragment reveals Howard’s exploration of themes related to societal expectations, personal relationships, and the conflicts between urban and rural life.

Summary

The story begins with a letter addressed to Mrs. Shane. The writer explains that although she has already resolved her problem, she feels compelled to share her story. She recounts how she met a young man in her town, who was attending college there while his home was on a farm in the country. Attracted by his good looks and wealth, she quickly became infatuated with him. Despite her city upbringing and lack of experience with rural life, she agreed to marry him and move to his farm.

After an extensive honeymoon across various cities, they settled on his farm. However, she immediately faced disapproval from his family, who did not seem to like her. The fragment ends abruptly at this point, leaving the reader to wonder about the nature of the conflicts and the ultimate resolution of her predicament.

Characters

  • Unnamed Narrator: The letter writer, a city-born woman who marries a young man from the country and moves to his farm, facing disapproval from his family.
  • The Young Man: The narrator’s husband, a wealthy and handsome college student with a home on a farm.
  • Mrs. Shane: The recipient of the letter, presumably someone who might offer advice or solace to the narrator.

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