Cora Maybank’s marriage to poet Theron Maybank unravels after one summer in Maine (and five tumultuous years of marriage). That summer the couple host a slew of uppity writers, including a Harvard poet and ex-wife, Minnie Rosoff. Prior to this, Cora is seen by a doctor for migraines only to find out that the doctor feels that Cora has psychological problems and advises her to see a psychoanalyst. She worries about telling Theron as he can be quite judgmental towards Cora.  Cora planned to tell Theron even though he would likely want to send her away for being mentally ill—to Cora this separation seemed almost pleasant. However, Minnie arrived early and wanted to go on a boat ride and picnic. Thus, Cora did not inform her husband.

Cora’s phobia of water prohibited her from attending the picnic with her husband and Minnie. Her phobia also brought her scrutiny from Minnie. Cora did not mind as she enjoyed separation from her husband. Thus, Minnie and Theron went on a picnic while Cora stayed home and drank herself to sleep.

Prior to this summer, it is revealed that Cora and Theron had a difficult marriage leading up to the summer in Maine. They moved around quite a bit and differed in religious beliefs. Theron was ‘devoutly’ Catholic and forced Cora, who was not quite religious, to attend religious sermons and rituals. Theron forced them to live in poverty for religious reasons. Cora befriended their Father who encouraged and supported her. Shortly thereafter, Theron made them move to nature. Cora has flashbacks to being younger. They were happy for a while as Cora received a substantial inheritance from her aunt and bought a house in Maine. Cora then adopted cats. Cora felt accomplished. After a few weeks, however, they were again, unhappy. Theron no longer wanted to stay in nature and Cora became angry and bitter. She often wished that Theron and Minnie would have an affair so that their marriage could finally end—and the end would be Theron’s fault. However, when Theron and Minnie did have an affair, Cora was devastated. After the affair, they left Maine on a train to New York and sat in separate cars. Cora again drank heavily and took pills, explaining to people that they were for migraines. Before they left, they locked Cora’s home and drowned her cat and kittens.