Beginning of Essay
In "Mary French," Dos Passos draws a definitive line between his feelings on capitalism and socialism, as well as the rich and the poor. The parallel lives of Eveline Johnson and Mary French reveal Dos Passos's distinct attitudes in regards to the upper and lower ....

Middle of Essay
.... party unfold, "Mary was looking at it all through a humming haze like seeing a play from way up in a smoky balcony" (1529). Simultaneously, Eveline acknowledges that her life, a reflection of self-centered capitalism, is in fact a waste. Eveline admits, "You know it does seem too silly to spend your life filling up rooms with illassorted people who really hate each other" (1530). This moment is of significance; throughout the story Eveline and Mary have had almost identical experiences. Both women have lost the loves of their lives, but it is Mary, the determined socialist, who puts the needs of others before her own. Mary is able to continue on ....