The Town Poor by Sarah Orne Jewett
"The Town Poor" by Sarah Orne Jewett explores themes of social class and the impact of poverty through the contrasting lives of two women, Mrs. William Trimble and Miss Rebecca Wright. As they travel in a horse-drawn carriage on a cold day, the narrative highlights their differing responses to their environment and social circumstances. Mrs. Trimble, a self-sufficient widow engaged in business, embodies generosity and concern for the less fortunate, while Miss Wright, a dependent spinster, reveals her discomfort and timidity. Their conversation shifts towards the plight of the Bray sisters, elderly women living in poverty, who are dependent on welfare and largely forgotten by society.
Upon visiting the Brays' dreary farmhouse, Mrs. Trimble and Miss Wright witness firsthand the sisters' dire living conditions, which reflect their neglect and marginalization. Despite their hardships, the Brays maintain a sense of hospitality, with Ann Bray notably striving to make their guests feel welcome. The story ultimately underscores the societal responsibility to care for the vulnerable, as Mrs. Trimble's compassion leads her to vow action for the sisters' welfare. This narrative serves as a poignant commentary on social realism, highlighting the disparities within a rural community and the challenges faced by those living in poverty.
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The Town Poor by Sarah Orne Jewett
First published: 1890
Type of plot: Social realism
Time of work: The mid-to late nineteenth century
Locale: New England
Principal Characters:
Mrs. William Trimble , a widowed businesspersonMiss Rebecca Wright , her friendAnn Bray , andMandana Bray , sisters who are the town's poorMrs. Janes , a part owner of the Brays' home
The Story
Mrs. William Trimble, an independent and comfortably fixed widow, and Miss Rebecca Wright, a spinster who is dependent and of marginal means, discuss the impact of the severe weather on farmers in nearby Parsley as the two women journey home in Mrs. Trimble's horse-drawn carriage. Although the two women are friends, the author emphasizes the differences between them by having the narrator shift the focus from their conversation to their demeanor—how they respond to the ride and to the cold. Mrs. Trimble, an "active business woman" who has been obliged to handle her affairs in all types of weather, is accustomed to riding in the open air. Miss Wright readily shows that she is uncomfortable.
Mrs. Trimble is more than industrious and self-sufficient. She is a generous woman who takes some interest in the affairs of Hampden's needy; she is a Lady Bountiful of a sort. Miss Wright's dependence on Mrs. Trimble for transportation, her obvious discomfort, and her timidity establish an immediate contrast with Mrs. Trimble. Although the speech of each woman is markedly regional, the differences between Mrs. Trimble and Miss Wright's speech suggests the difference between their social class and reinforces the differences between their personalities.
As the two drive along a rural road, they discover that they are approaching the farmhouse in which two of their friends—elderly sisters on welfare—have been placed by the town. These friends are the Bray sisters, Ann and Mandana, the town poor. They are old, ailing, frail, dependent, and forgotten. After deciding to visit Ann and Mandana Bray, Mrs. Trimble and Miss Wright have some time to reminisce about better times for the Brays, about past sermons, and about the improvident father of the Bray women. His devotion of time and money to the church are the causes of the Bray sisters' impoverished condition.
When the two visitors arrive at the farmhouse, they are greatly concerned: The yard is barren, the chickens are "ragged," the house is drab and isolated. Mrs. Abel Janes, the landlady, is as cheerless as her kitchen. She complains bitterly about her condition and lack of money, and she begrudges her boarders, the Bray women. The cold and drafty attic in which the Bray women live is far more drab than the remainder of the house. It is also poorly furnished. These conditions and the lack of a good view make the sisters virtual prisoners. They have little food to sustain them, and they have no clothing to brave the inclement weather. They speak of getting "stout shoes and rubbers . . . to fetch home plenty o' little dry boughs o' pine." Despite their poverty, the sisters, especially Ann, are hospitable. With her hand in a sling, Ann cheerfully prepares all the food in the room for their guests: tea, crackers, marmalade. In addition to making their guests feel comfortable and welcome, Ann consoles her sister, Mandana, who weeps about their situation. Mrs. Trimble is so touched by the Brays' plight that she vows to approach the selectmen the very next day. The town is going to have to do something to help these women.
Bibliography
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