ABSTRACT

But Peck’s assertions that understanding between the classes requires the sacrifice of meeting the poor on common ground by “sharing their labours” (685), along with his piercing criticism of self-serving charity, grad­ ually work upon Annie. Annie’s changing opinions about philanthropy artic­ ulate Howells’ major social theme-the working out of his response to Tolstoy’s ethic of vital contact. With Peck’s advice, Annie rejects the Social Union and its aims as “odious” and “terribly self-sufficing” (672), admitting that there had all along been “something incongruous in it” (682). She begins to understand that “one ought to have a conscience about doing good” (745) and then expresses a willingness to personally experiment with the transgression of class barriers. Lamenting that she is “always on the out­ side” (747), she wonders “whether she ought to offer herself as a nurse among them” (747). Finally, she severely criticizes her own earlier attitude toward philanthropy in Hatboro: “I must have expected to be a sort of lady Bountiful here; and now I think a Lady Bountiful one of the most mischie­ vous persons that could infest a community” (818). Annie’s self-inquiry becomes increasingly severe, eventually prompting the literal consideration of what Howells described as the “harassing thoughts” that resulted from reading Tolstoy: “Why should I be comfortable?” Annie asks, “something must done, but I don’t know what” (820-821).