The Country Husband

The point of view of a story refers to who is telling it and can often play a significant role in its overall meaning. “The Country Husband” is narrated largely in third-person limited; it skews very closely to Francis Weed’s perspective, immersing readers in his innermost thoughts and desires. Being able to access his interiority to such a degree is essential to the realist psychological portrait Cheever is attempting to craft and helps the reader understand the subtle nuances of Francis’s motivations and character arc.

However, the narration does not entirely coincide with Francis’s perspective, allowing Cheever to provide detached observations of events and characters that Francis might not be privy to. The ending, for example, turns away from Francis in the basement and shows readers a full panorama of Shady Hill, including Toby in his bedroom, Julia in the garden, and the Weeds’ various neighbors going about their business. This objective perspective enhances readers’ understanding of Shady Hill by showcasing both the harmony on the surface and the various tensions that simmer underneath.