The Moth Decides: A Novel

by Edward Alden Jewell

"The Moth Decides: A Novel" by Edward Alden Jewell is a fiction work written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Louise Needham, a young woman navigating her feelings and relationships after a past heartbreak with a man named Richard. As she prepares to meet her new fiancé, Lynndal Barry, Louise grapples with her past experiences and the nature of love, highlighting the contrast between her former affection for Richard and her current feelings for Lynndal. The opening of the novel introduces readers to Louise as she wakes early one summer morning in her family's cottage near Lake Michigan. She reflects on her anticipation and the significance of the day ahead, as Leslie—her friend and a suitor—waits for her outside. The narrative unfolds her interactions with her younger sister, Hilda, and reveals Louise's deliberate thoughts about her relationship with both Leslie and Lynndal while hinting at the emotional scars left by Richard. As Louise prepares for her journey to meet Lynndal, she showcases her maturity and desire for independence, setting the stage for the complexities of love and fidelity that will permeate the story.