Consider Mary’s role as Rendle’s muse and its relation to this problem–a person who inspires another person’s work but may not benefit from himself/herself–more generally. What isWharton’s commentary here? To put it another way: what exactly is the muse’s tragedy in this case? What is most tragic about this story?

The muse’s tragedy is inspiring others while feeling like they are falling apart. Mary wanted to be seen as more than “Vincent Rendle’s Mrs. Anerton” (38) , she wanted to feel affection and love again. She was tired of being so helpful and considerate, but Rendle would not adhere or be attentive to her feelings. He “treated her [me] as one man treats another” (38). Rendle did not look past her as being a help to his writing and the voice behind his creative reasoning. The thing most tragic about this story is everyone thought that Mary was hiding Rendle and keeping him for herself. They also thought that she had found love once again, but that was not the case. Mary was struggling to find her true self and had to suffer in being in relations with someone who would not offer the emotional connection that he longed for. Mary was struggling, internally, but no one seemed to notice.