The Paris Wife concludes with Hadley Richardson granting Ernest Hemingway a divorce, recognizing his inability to overcome his feelings for Pauline Pfeiffer. The novel's epilogue then reveals the divergent paths of their lives post-separation.
The Immediate Resolution: Divorce
The narrative culminates in the painful decision for Hadley and Ernest to separate. Despite their deep connection and the shared experiences that defined their early years in Paris, Ernest's affair with Pauline Pfeiffer, and his subsequent inability to let Pauline go, makes their reconciliation impossible. Hadley, with a profound understanding of their situation, ultimately agrees to a divorce, marking the end of their marriage.
The Epilogue: Lives After Paris
The epilogue offers a poignant glimpse into the future lives of both Hadley and Ernest, showing the long-term consequences of their choices and the ultimate fates of the characters.
Hadley's Journey:
- Second Marriage: Hadley finds lasting happiness and stability in her second marriage. This union is depicted as successful and fulfilling, providing her with the contentment she sought.
- A Content Life: Her life after Ernest is characterized by a sense of peace and a successful personal journey.
Ernest's Path:
- Serial Marriages: Ernest Hemingway goes on to marry several other women after Hadley.
- Repeated Divorces: Each of these subsequent marriages, however, ends in divorce, highlighting a recurring pattern of relational instability throughout his life.
- Tragic End: Ultimately, Ernest takes his own life, a somber conclusion to a life marked by both literary brilliance and personal turmoil.
Divergent Fates
The novel thus ends by illustrating a stark contrast between the two main characters: Hadley finds a quieter, more stable happiness, while Ernest, despite his literary fame, is portrayed as continuing a tumultuous personal life that eventually leads to a tragic end. Their story concludes not just with the end of a marriage, but with a reflection on the different definitions of success and happiness they each pursued.
