The story is about a marriage between two people from different social classes. Dan Croteau is from the working class; Cate Woolner is from the upper class.
Mr. Croteau and Ms. Woolner have a lot in common because each had two failed marriages and two children, and they shared some same interests as well. However, since they are from difference social classes, indeed there are problems and stresses in their marriage.
At first, after they just started dating, they found that money has caused problems in their relationship. As Mr. Croteau is always trying to change himself in order to get used to the fancy life that Ms. Woolner has and meanwhile trying to show that he loves her instead of her money, Ms. Woolner is also trying to help him by giving him money in a way that won’t hurt his feeling. They are both trying to maintain the relationship and they believe it will work out. But the truth is, through the process, people who have more money are more likely to be the one who have the most power in the relationship, which in this case is Ms. Woolner. So I think Mr. Croteau’s life really has changed a lot.
Both families’ attitude towards this relationship is quite gentle but it doesn't mean it has no problems at all. Mr. Croteau’s mom shows a quite positive attitude, she say “Well, don't’ hold that against her; she’s probably very nice anyway.” However, Ms. Woolner’s mother says she was embarrasses by his background and she’s worried that her daughter was doing some kind of do-good project.
Moreover, except for these, I think they have different ways of thinking as well. For instance, Mr. Croteau finds his job at hospital is better than the one at Northfield Mount Hermon because he doesn’t quite understand the way people do things in N.M.H and he thinks they aren’t in the same world. But working in hospital he finds himself more comfortable. Also, he finds out that people like him who are also in working class, will normally talk directly. Sometimes when Ms. Woolner’s family is speaking to him in a very nice way, he is confused whether they really like him or not.
To conclude, marriage that crosses social classes can be really hard, but it isn’t going to be impossible as Mr. Croteau and Ms. Woolner has said that their marriage has withstood its particular problems and stresses. So I guess it does work out.
Mr. Croteau and Ms. Woolner have a lot in common because each had two failed marriages and two children, and they shared some same interests as well. However, since they are from difference social classes, indeed there are problems and stresses in their marriage.
At first, after they just started dating, they found that money has caused problems in their relationship. As Mr. Croteau is always trying to change himself in order to get used to the fancy life that Ms. Woolner has and meanwhile trying to show that he loves her instead of her money, Ms. Woolner is also trying to help him by giving him money in a way that won’t hurt his feeling. They are both trying to maintain the relationship and they believe it will work out. But the truth is, through the process, people who have more money are more likely to be the one who have the most power in the relationship, which in this case is Ms. Woolner. So I think Mr. Croteau’s life really has changed a lot.
Both families’ attitude towards this relationship is quite gentle but it doesn't mean it has no problems at all. Mr. Croteau’s mom shows a quite positive attitude, she say “Well, don't’ hold that against her; she’s probably very nice anyway.” However, Ms. Woolner’s mother says she was embarrasses by his background and she’s worried that her daughter was doing some kind of do-good project.
Moreover, except for these, I think they have different ways of thinking as well. For instance, Mr. Croteau finds his job at hospital is better than the one at Northfield Mount Hermon because he doesn’t quite understand the way people do things in N.M.H and he thinks they aren’t in the same world. But working in hospital he finds himself more comfortable. Also, he finds out that people like him who are also in working class, will normally talk directly. Sometimes when Ms. Woolner’s family is speaking to him in a very nice way, he is confused whether they really like him or not.
To conclude, marriage that crosses social classes can be really hard, but it isn’t going to be impossible as Mr. Croteau and Ms. Woolner has said that their marriage has withstood its particular problems and stresses. So I guess it does work out.