'Enoch Arden' Summary

Enoch Arden, a young fisherman, leaves his wife Annie and their infant daughter to seek a better life at sea. During a perilous voyage, his ship is wrecked, and he is presumed lost. Enoch, however, survives the shipwreck and spends years stranded on a deserted island. He endures hardship and loneliness, but his thoughts are constantly with his family. When he finally escapes the island and returns home, he finds his wife remarried to his close friend Philip. He also discovers that Annie has given birth to several children with Philip. Devastated by the sight of his family's happiness with another man, Enoch chooses to keep his identity a secret. He witnesses his wife's love and devotion to Philip and his children, and ultimately, he sacrifices his own happiness for their well-being. Enoch's story culminates in a tragic yet profound reflection on the complexities of love, duty, and sacrifice, highlighting the enduring power of love and the sacrifices one might make for the happiness of others.