The Enchanted April

While in San Salvatore, each woman has the opportunity to rest and relax away from the demands of her life. One of the most important lessons that each learns, both because of their newfound freedom and because of the bonds that they develop with one another, is that acceptance and understanding have the power to transform relationships.

Mrs. Wilkins is the novel’s principle model for love, understanding, and acceptance. She is the first to accept eccentricities and differences in others, and it is in part because of her genuine, earnest persona that the other women eventually soften. As soon as she arrives, “a great desire to love and be friends with everybody” (105) comes over her. She does not notice Caroline’s efforts to snub her, nor do Mrs. Fisher’s domineering manner or judgmental nature upset her. Mrs. Arbuthnot takes affront at both women’s behavior, but Mrs. Wilkins urges her to have more understanding for two people with whom she is as yet unfamiliar. She then applies this same degree of understanding and acceptance to her husband. Due to her generosity of spirit, Mellersh is indeed transformed. He is kinder to her and caring toward the rest of the women.

Mrs.