There will always be peaks and valleys in any relationship. Some folks will be able to work out their differences, while others will come to a fork in the road. In Stephen Blackpool's predicament, he is unable to choose his path, he would have traveled in his pursuit for happiness. Similar to other men in his economic status he chooses to cheat on his wife, instead of divorce. The beginning of the 19th century was a really dismal period, to be a spouse. Lower class citizens, especially women, in industrial England were hopeless and left at the mercy of their husbands. Reforms made by the parliament, would help the dissolution of marriages to become universally more obtainable. However, even with these strides made by the government, women
