Until Choice Do Us Part

This book provides a fresh perspective on marriage at the start of the twentieth century, revealing its role in social reform and personal relationships.

For centuries, the concept of marriage has been a topic of intense discussion and debate. In Until Choice Do Us Part, Clare Virginia Eby presents a nuanced exploration of marriage as it was perceived at the beginning of the twentieth century. This period was marked by significant social change, where marriage was not merely viewed as a conservative institution but rather as a potential catalyst for reform and progress. Through various mediums, including fiction, journalism, legal decisions, and personal letters, Eby sheds light on how marriage was redefined during this transformative era.

The book delves into the perspectives of Progressive-era reformers who challenged traditional views of marriage. Figures such as sexologist Havelock Ellis and anthropologist Elsie Clews Parsons advocated for a partnership based on equality and affection, rather than societal expectations. Eby highlights the lives and writings of three notable literary couples—Upton and Meta Fuller Sinclair, Theodore and Sara White Dreiser, and Neith Boyce and Hutchins Hapgood—who attempted to embody these ideals in their personal and professional lives, often facing complex outcomes.

By focusing on the intimate dynamics of marriage, Until Choice Do Us Part offers readers an insightful glimpse into a pivotal moment that reshaped American marital norms. Eby’s work not only reflects on historical contexts but also encourages readers to consider how these past discussions continue to influence contemporary views on marriage today.