our society. In the Dubus novella,nHank and his last woman enternmarriage without meaningfulnconnection (without empathy),nlured on by the chimera of peace.nSuch ritualistic form withoutncontent, as we have discoverednin our time, desiccates the soulnand drives us from one anothernin thirst and in anguish, our spiritsnshriveled. For women thisnplight . . .