The Discontented Woman
by Henry Wallace Phillips · from Fables for the Times
Adapted Version
Once there was a woman. Her name was Mrs. Grumbles. She was not happy. She had a husband. She did not like him. She looked up at the sky. She talked to The Sky King. "My husband is not good," she said. "He does not make me happy. Please send me a new one. I want a different man." She was very unhappy. She asked for a new husband.
The Sky King heard Mrs. Grumbles. He was high in the sky. He wanted to help her. He sent her a new man. This man was The Strong Man. He was very big. He was very powerful. He was a good new husband. The Sky King thought she would like him. Mrs. Grumbles now had a new husband. The Sky King gave her this man. She was happy for a short time.
Soon, Mrs. Grumbles was sad again. She did not like The Strong Man. He made loud noises. He was not perfect. He was not what she wanted. She talked to The Sky King. "He is not good," she said. "He is too loud. He makes me unhappy. I want another new one. Please take him away." She was unhappy again.
The Sky King heard her complaints. He was tired of her words. He heard many complaints. He did not like her complaints. He took The Strong Man away. The Strong Man went back to the sky. Mrs. Grumbles was alone again. She waited for a new man. The Sky King was very weary. He had heard enough.
The Sky King sent a third man. He was The Quiet Man. He liked books. He spoke very softly. He was not big. He was not loud. He was very calm. This man was very different. Mrs. Grumbles had a new husband. The Sky King hoped she would like him. This was her third husband.
Mrs. Grumbles looked at The Quiet Man. She did not know what to think. She was very confused. She did not know what she wanted. She was still not happy. She looked at her new husband. She did not understand him. She was very, very confused. No one is perfect. It is good to be happy with what you have.
Original Story
The Discontented Woman.
A woman who was dissatisfied with her husband loudly petitioned Jove to send her another. The god listened favorably to her petition and sent her a demigod.
In less than a week the woman was bewailing her lot again, saying she never cared for mixed goods anyhow, and that while the god-half of her present husband might be all right, the man-half snored and chewed tobacco. Jove, wearied by her ill-humored persistency, took back the demi-god and sent her a man out of the Yellow Book for husband, instead.
Up to the present writing the lady in question hasn't discovered where she is at.
IMMORAL:
Hysterics and Art are only relations by marriage.
The Discontented Woman
[Footnote 1: (editorial note) This was corrected from the original, which read: "Well, where's your art now, snarled the lion?"]
*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FABLES FOR THE TIMES ***
Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.
Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.
Story DNA
Moral
Hysterics and Art are only relations by marriage.
Plot Summary
A woman, unhappy with her husband, petitions Jove for a new one. Jove sends her a demigod, but she quickly finds fault with his human half and complains again. Wearied by her persistence, Jove replaces the demigod with a man from the 'Yellow Book.' The story concludes with the woman utterly bewildered by her new situation, highlighting her inherent discontent.
Themes
Emotional Arc
discontent to further discontent to confusion
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Henry Wallace Phillips was an American humorist. The 'Yellow Book' was a British literary magazine (1894-1897) known for its decadent aesthetic, so a 'man out of the Yellow Book' would imply a very specific, perhaps effete or artistic, type of man.
Plot Beats (6)
- A woman is unhappy with her husband and prays to Jove for a different one.
- Jove hears her prayer and sends her a demigod as a new husband.
- Within a week, the woman is again complaining, stating she dislikes "mixed goods" and that the demigod's human half snores and chews tobacco.
- Jove, annoyed by her constant complaints, takes back the demigod.
- Jove then sends her a man from the Yellow Book as her next husband.
- The story concludes with the woman completely bewildered by her current circumstances.
Characters
The Discontented Woman ★ protagonist
Of average height and build, she likely carries a perpetually dissatisfied expression, with a slight frown etched between her brows. Her movements might be somewhat restless or agitated, reflecting her inner turmoil.
Attire: She would wear practical, somewhat plain attire typical of a middle-class woman of the late 19th or early 20th century, perhaps a dark, long-sleeved dress made of sturdy wool or cotton, with a high collar and minimal ornamentation. Her clothing would be neat but uninspired, reflecting her lack of joy.
Wants: To find a husband who perfectly meets her ever-changing, undefined ideal, believing external circumstances are the source of her unhappiness.
Flaw: Her inability to find contentment within herself or appreciate what she has, leading to endless dissatisfaction and a critical nature.
She remains unchanged, perpetually discontent, never learning to appreciate her circumstances or find happiness.
Dissatisfied, critical, persistent, ungrateful, restless.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult woman of average height and build, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a plain, somewhat drawn face with a slight frown and narrowed, neutral-colored eyes. Her hair is styled in a simple, neat bun at the nape of her neck. She wears a dark grey, long-sleeved wool dress with a high collar and no ornamentation, and practical dark leather shoes. Her posture is slightly rigid, conveying a sense of demanding dissatisfaction. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Jove ◆ supporting
As a powerful Roman god, Jove would appear as a majestic and imposing figure, radiating authority and power. He would be tall and powerfully built, with a commanding presence that suggests immense strength and wisdom.
Attire: Jove would be clad in flowing, regal robes, likely made of rich, heavy fabrics like deep purple or crimson silk, possibly embroidered with gold thread. He might wear a golden laurel wreath upon his head and ornate sandals. His attire would be simple in its cut but opulent in its materials, befitting a king of the gods.
Wants: To maintain cosmic order and respond to petitions, though with increasing weariness when faced with human folly.
Flaw: His patience can be worn thin by persistent, unreasonable complaints.
He grows increasingly weary and exasperated by the woman's endless complaints, eventually giving up on trying to satisfy her.
Patient (initially), powerful, weary, somewhat exasperated, just.
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic, powerfully built elderly man with a stern, noble face and piercing blue eyes, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a thick, wavy silver-white hair and a full, well-groomed silver beard. He wears flowing, deep purple silk robes embroidered with gold thread, a golden laurel wreath on his head, and ornate golden sandals. His posture is dignified and commanding, radiating immense authority. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Demigod ○ minor
He would possess a blend of divine grace and human imperfection. Perhaps he is exceptionally handsome and well-proportioned, with an ethereal quality to his movements, but with some subtle human flaws that become apparent upon closer inspection.
Attire: He would likely wear fine, well-tailored clothing that suggests wealth and status, but perhaps with a slight dishevelment or a practical element that betrays his human side. Perhaps a finely woven tunic and toga, but with a slight stain or a loosened sash.
Wants: To be a good husband, though his human habits interfere.
Flaw: His human half, which includes mundane and irritating habits like snoring and chewing tobacco.
He is taken back by Jove, unable to satisfy the woman's impossible standards.
Partially divine, partially human, likely charming but with human flaws, perhaps a bit bewildered by his wife's constant complaints.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult man with a classically handsome face, chiseled features, and bright, intelligent dark eyes, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has rich, dark, impeccably styled hair. He wears a finely woven cream-colored tunic and a deep blue toga draped elegantly over one shoulder, with ornate leather sandals. His posture is graceful and confident, but there's a subtle, almost imperceptible, weariness in his expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Man from the Yellow Book ○ minor
He would embody the aesthetic of the 'Yellow Book' era (late 19th century British decadence/aestheticism). He would be slender, perhaps even frail, with an air of intellectual refinement and a slightly melancholic or detached demeanor. His movements would be deliberate and perhaps a little languid.
Attire: He would wear impeccably tailored, dark, perhaps velvet or fine wool suits, possibly with a slightly unconventional cut or a flamboyant tie. A high collar and a cravat would be essential. His clothing would be understated in color but exquisite in fabric and tailoring, reflecting an artistic sensibility rather than overt wealth.
Wants: Implied to be living a life of aesthetic appreciation and intellectual pursuits, rather than conventional domesticity.
Flaw: His artistic or intellectual nature might make him ill-suited for a conventional, demanding wife.
His arc is unknown, as the woman has not yet discovered his nature, implying he will also fail to satisfy her.
Intellectual, artistic, perhaps melancholic, detached, unconventional.
Image Prompt & Upload
A slender adult man with a pale, finely featured face, dark, deep-set, introspective eyes, and a high forehead, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has dark, artfully disheveled hair that reaches his collar. He wears an impeccably tailored dark velvet suit with a high-collared white shirt and a dark silk cravat, and polished black leather shoes. His posture is slightly languid, with one hand gently resting on his chin, conveying a contemplative and detached demeanor. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Woman's Home
A domestic setting where the woman resides, likely a typical American home of the early 20th century, given the author's period. It would feature common household items and a bedroom where her husband snores.
Mood: Initially discontented and noisy with complaints, later shifting to bewilderment.
The woman's repeated petitions to Jove, her initial dissatisfaction with her first husband, and her subsequent complaints about the demigod.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit bedroom interior in an early 20th-century American home. Heavy, slightly rumpled bed linens are visible on a wooden bed frame. A small, simple nightstand holds a glass of water and a half-smoked cigar in an ashtray. Faint moonlight streams through a lace-curtained window, casting soft shadows on the patterned wallpaper. The air feels still and slightly stale. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Mount Olympus (Jove's Domain)
The celestial dwelling of Jove, a grand and ethereal realm high above the mortal world, where petitions are heard and divine decisions are made.
Mood: Majestic, powerful, but also capable of weariness and exasperation.
Jove listening to the woman's petitions and making decisions about her husbands.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, open celestial expanse with swirling, luminous clouds forming natural platforms and arches. Brilliant, golden-white light emanates from an unseen source, illuminating the ethereal landscape. Distant, stylized mountain peaks of the mortal world are visible far below, shrouded in a soft, blue haze. The air shimmers with divine energy. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
