Meg, of Valencia

"Meg, of Valencia" by Myra Williams Jarrell is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the titular character, Meg Anthony, and her relationships with her mother, her relatives, and Robert Malloy, who is entangled in a calling to a monastic life. Themes of duty, personal aspirations, and the complexity of human emotions unfold against the backdrop of familial expectations and societal norms. The opening of the book introduces us to the characters of Mr. Robert Spencer and his sister Stella as they express concerns about Stella’s son, Robert, who is planning to embrace a monastic lifestyle. Their conversation reveals tensions between familial duty and personal desire, particularly as they discuss the impact of names on identity and behavior. Following this, the story transitions to the arrival of young Robert, who shares a close bond with his mother, Stella, and soon becomes entangled with Meg Anthony, a spirited and independent girl who struggles with her emotions and familial obligations. This sets the stage for the interplay between love, duty, and the search for personal happiness that defines the narrative.