The Mission Of Jane

by Edith Wharton

The Mission of Jane is a novel written by Edith Wharton, a renowned American author. The book tells the story of Jane Leavenworth, a wealthy and privileged woman who decides to devote her life to helping the less fortunate. Jane is a woman of great compassion and empathy, and she is determined to make a difference in the world.The novel is set in the early 20th century and explores themes of social inequality, poverty, and the role of women in society. Jane's mission takes her to the slums of New York City, where she meets a variety of people who are struggling to survive. She becomes involved in various charitable organizations, including a settlement house and a mission for homeless women.As Jane becomes more deeply involved in her mission, she begins to question her own privileged background and the values that she has been raised with. She also faces opposition from some of her wealthy friends and family members who do not understand her desire to help the poor.Throughout the novel, Wharton presents a nuanced portrayal of Jane's character, showing both her strengths and weaknesses. The author also provides a vivid depiction of life in the slums of New York City during this time period, highlighting the challenges faced by those living in poverty.Overall, The Mission of Jane is a thought-provoking novel that explores important social issues and the complexities of human nature.The blow was bitter to Mrs. Lethbury; but she consoled herself with the idea that Jane had failed because she was too clever. Jane probably shared this conviction; at all events she betrayed no consciousness of failure. She had developed a pronounced taste for society, and went out, unweariedly and obstinately, winter after winter, while Mrs. Lethbury toiled in her wake, showering attentions on oblivious hostesses.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Classics

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1904

About the author

Edith Wharton emerged as one of America’s most insightful novelists, deftly exposing the tensions between societal expectation and personal desire through her vivid portrayals of upper-class life. Drawing from her deep familiarity with New York’s privileged “aristocracy,” she offered readers a keenly observed and piercingly honest vision of Gilded Age society.

Her work reached a milestone when she became the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, awarded for The Age of Innocence. This novel highlights the constraining rituals of 1870s New York society and remains a defining portrait of elegance laced with regret.

Wharton’s literary achievements span a wide canvas. The House of Mirth presents a tragic, vividly drawn character study of Lily Bart, navigating social expectations and the perils of genteel poverty in 1890s New York. In Ethan Frome, she explores rural hardship and emotional repression, contrasting sharply with her urban social dramas.

Her novella collection Old New York revisits the moral terrain of upper-class society, spanning decades and combining character studies with social commentary. Through these stories, she inevitably points back to themes and settings familiar from The Age of Innocence. Continuing her exploration of class and desire, The Glimpses of the Moon addresses marriage and social mobility in early 20th-century America. And in Summer, Wharton challenges societal norms with its rural setting and themes of sexual awakening and social inequality.

Beyond fiction, Wharton contributed compelling nonfiction and travel writing. The Decoration of Houses reflects her eye for design and architecture; Fighting France: From Dunkerque to Belfort presents a compelling account of her wartime observations. As editor of The Book of the Homeless, she curated a moving, international collaboration in support of war refugees.

Wharton’s influence extended beyond writing. She designed her own country estate, The Mount, a testament to her architectural sensibility and aesthetic vision. The Mount now stands as an educational museum celebrating her legacy.

Throughout her career, Wharton maintained friendships and artistic exchanges with luminaries such as Henry James, Sinclair Lewis, Jean Cocteau, André Gide, and Theodore Roosevelt—reflecting her status as a respected and connected cultural figure.
Her literary legacy also includes multiple Nobel Prize nominations, underscoring her international recognition. She was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature more than once.

In sum, Edith Wharton remains celebrated for her unflinching, elegant prose, her psychological acuity, and her capacity to illuminate the unspoken constraints of society—from the glittering ballrooms of New York to quieter, more remote settings. Her wide-ranging work—novels, novellas, short stories, poetry, travel writing, essays—offers cultural insight, enduring emotional depth, and a piercing critique of the customs she both inhabited and dissected.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a real kick out of this short story. A couple adopts a baby who proves to be a bit of a handful. I won't give away any of the story but I loved the description of the parents desparation at the end of the story. Quick read. Give it a try! :)

[Lexi V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story about intra- and inter-personal relationships.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otro maravilloso relato de la magnífica Edith Wharton, quien en apenas 50 páginas nos hace un retrato perfecto de la sociedad neoyorquina de principios del siglo XX, en la que el papel de las mujeres, en principio, estaba supeditado al capricho de sus maridos o eso es lo que ellos se creían...

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't really been able to get into or enjoy other Edith Wharton, but this little story was beautifully written.

The couple at the center of the story is unhappy: the husband is disdainful, contemptuous of his wife, whom he sees as shallow and simple-minded. She may not be particularly perceptive, but she has good intentions. She talks him into adopting a daughter.


Raising their daughter, Jane, does change their relationship, but not in the predictable way.