The novel opens with the narrator on the stage set of a Civil War drama in which his wife, Ruth, has a leading role. He reflects on the monotony of the last four years and seven months, feeling regret for their fading marriage and yearning for creativity and connection with nature.

The narrator recalls the early days of their relationship, when he was dazzled by the vibrant life surrounding Ruth’s performances. However, this energy has faded, leaving their life together as worn and joyless as Ruth’s costumes.

Initially set for 20 performances, the Civil War drama has become a hit, its run extended indefinitely, trapping Ruth in the role of Arabella. As the play consumes Ruth’s life, the couple drifts apart, living separately and meeting only to fulfill what they see as marital obligations. The narrator, who sacrificed his dreams to support Ruth, resents the play for the wedge it has driven between them.

The narrator becomes even more lonely when Ruth goes on tour with the company. He loses track of time, and his days become a blur of aimless drinking and fleeting relationships. In a shop window, he encounters books like Prometheus Unbound and

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