Other Things Being Equal

In Emma Wolf's novel 'Other Things Being Equal', the story opens with a conversation between Ruth Levice and her cousin Jennie Lewis. Jennie expresses concern about her mother's hysterical attacks and encourages Ruth to speak to her father about it. She also criticizes the custody arrangement, in which Ruth's father had sole custody of her until she turned 21 and then handed her over to her mother. The novel explores the complexities of family dynamics and societal expectations in early 20th century America.