The plot of the “Fidelity” is set in a small provincial town named Freeport. It was called with irony, because it is neither a “port” nor “free”.
Ruth Holland is a woman who scandalized herself by running away with her beloved, who actually has a wife. After eleven years’ expultion she has to come back as her father is dying. After her returning we see how she faces the strongest censure of her citizenships and coping with that.
This novel narrates us about the women who has chosen the love and relationship and wasn’t stopped by prejudices or public blame. This novel was published in 1915 and puts the real important questions as following: which is more important the judgment of “the public” or the need to be individuality and to be “free”? She started to realize that her actions had a great reflection on the whole society of the town. She even feels some kind of remorse for her deeds.
Unusually this novel is written from the point of view of the “other “woman”. The novel about a hard decisions for which one would pay off, the unfidelity…
One of the most important themes in this book is the theme of love. Not necessary the love of two lovers, but of friends, family and the public relations. It’s interesting that the good friend of Ruth – Deane Franklin – seems to be the only one in that town who treats the situation objectively. Another thing of curiosity is that almost all her friends remained near her, despite all she had done.
The novel called “Fidelity” not only because the infidelity in maritial meaning was broken, but the author inserted into the book the theme of the fidelity to the principles of life. That was Ruth’s principles – to follow her love and her destiny. And if she had broken them, she would have collaborate her personality and her life would have been circumscribed.