A shy American librarian and her abrasive mother travel to Italy, where a visit with a beautiful Italian countess stirs up the daughter's insecurity about her terrible teeth — and re-animates her rage at her mother, who neglected to have them fixed.

A woman dealing with conflicting emotions resorts to deliberately putting herself in danger to learn to value the life she's been given - but these unorthodox methods leave her more desperate than ever.

A woman with an emotionally manipulative husband realizes that she has long judged herself based on men's opinions of her and decides to define her own self.

A man suddenly realizes that he hates his wife, and resolves to free himself.

In discussing the altercations witnessed over the course of the day, Stephen Elwin and his family grapple with question of whether the downtrodden and those burdened by prejudice are nonetheless responsible for their own breeding and behavior. Elwin’s earnest and idealistic daughter Margaret valiantly defends their maid, who happens to be Black and also named Margaret, until she witnesses 'the other Margaret' breaking a piece of artwork.

As a woman grows older, she falls into a deep sadness while the men around her constantly tell her to cheer up.

A man has his daughter's beautiful, golden curls chopped off as revenge on his wife, forcing the little girl to puzzle out the dynamics of her parents' miserable marriage.

An author discusses with his friend the best way to write about a poor aunt. Their words take on a new power when he manifests a literal poor aunt on his back and draws in spectators.

A struggling artist hopes to revive his social relevance by making a project out of his new neighbors, but he is forced to confront his own ruination as his obsession grows and old rivals enter the scene.

A middle-aged businesswoman goes on one of her regular trips to New York City and begins to feel trapped by her life situation as a woman.