The Wife of His Youth

In "The Wife of His Youth," Charles W. Chesnutt tells the story of a light-skinned mulatto man, a respected member of the Blue Veins Society, who is about to marry another light-skinned woman. His plans are disrupted when a much darker woman arrives, seeking her husband after 25 years apart. This poignant tale, first published in 1898, explores themes of identity and social class, and has gained significant recognition as Chesnutt's most anthologized work.