Short Fiction · Chapter
Ex Parte explained
A man, recently separated from his wife Florence, writes a letter to his friend Ed Osborne to tell his side of the story.
What happens
A man, recently separated from his wife Florence, writes a letter to his friend Ed Osborne to tell his side of the story. He explains that he bought a new house from Jeff Cooper as a surprise for Florence, but she hated it because it was too new. In a fit of pique, he attempted to 'antique' the house and himself, which led to Florence leaving him. He then visits the Dwans, who live in a converted barn, and Florence is enamored with their 'Early American' style, which the narrator finds ridiculous.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Gender Roles
The narrator's story highlights the double standard in divorce, where a man is always blamed, and the conflict over the home, which is the wife's domain.
Satire of Media and Business
The narrator satirizes the 'Early American' fad, mocking the Dwans' pretentiousness and the commercial value placed on old, mismatched items.
Alcohol and Escapism
The narrator drinks rye whiskey with Harry Cross as a way to cope with his marital problems.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Edwards
The narrator, writing to his friend Ed Osborne to explain his side of the separation from his wife, Florence.
- Mr. Robert Frisbie
Mentioned as the narrator's friend who is the executor of his will.
- Harry Cross
Met on the street and offered the narrator three bottles of rye whiskey.
- Mrs. Henry Spalding
The narrator's wife, Florence, who left him after he tried to make their new house look old.
- Mr. Grant
The narrator's friend who sold him his new house.
Key passages
“Most always when a man leaves his wife, there’s no excuse in the world for him.”
A man is always blamed for leaving his wife, no matter the reason.
The narrator sets up the unfair social judgment he faces.
“I’ll tell you what’s the matter! I hate this house and everything in it! It’s too new! Everything shines! I loathe new things!”
Florence declares her hatred for the new house because it is too modern and shiny.
Florence's outburst reveals the central conflict of the chapter.
“I’m going to try and antique this place and I think I’ll begin on the dining-room table.”
The narrator plans to make the new furniture look old, starting with the dining table.
The narrator's sarcastic response to his wife's complaint.
“They’re beautiful! said Florence. The instant I saw them, said Mrs. Dwan, I knew this was going to be our home!”
Florence admires the old beams, and Mrs. Dwan explains she knew the barn was meant to be their home the moment she saw them.
Florence's admiration for the Dwans' old barn contrasts with her hatred for her own new house.