The Woman Who Tried to Be Good [1913]

Before her attempt to reform, Blanche Devine was a notorious figure in her small town, known for her past as a very bad woman. Despite her attractiveness and expensive attire, she was shunned by the townsfolk. Her ownership of the House with the Closed Shutters and her mysterious, luxurious lifestyle fueled local gossip. However, Blanche decided to change her life, purchasing a white cottage and striving to live like any other respectable woman. This decision shocked the community, igniting a scandal among the morally righteous neighbors.

Blanche’s transition was met with suspicion and cold shoulders; her efforts to integrate and perform acts of kindness were rebuffed. Despite this, she endeavored to create a homely environment for herself, joining the church and contributing to the social fabric with her presence and actions. Her house was a beacon of cleanliness and domesticity, contrasting starkly with her past.

A pivotal moment in Blanche’s quest for redemption came when she helped the Very Young Wife next door during a crisis with her baby, Snooky. Despite the Young Wife’s initial resistance and community-imposed isolation, Blanche’s expertise in dealing with croup saved Snooky’s life. This act displayed not only her goodwill but also her desire for normalcy and acceptance.

The experience forged a brief connection between Blanche and the Young Wife, transcending societal judgment momentarily. However, under pressure from her husband, the Young Wife was forced to distance herself once again, adhering to the community’s unwritten rules.

In the end, Blanche’s struggle for acceptance and her acts of kindness painted a complex picture of her character, challenging the town’s black-and-white morality. Her journey highlighted the difficulties of overcoming past reputations within small communities and underscored the potential for personal transformation and redemption.