Loving Frank

In Leipzig, Mamah quickly learns Swedish and eventually visits Ellen in Lake Vattern, where the philosopher enjoys the peace of her newly built home. She imagines a house in the country, built by Frank for them. She and Ellen discuss how to get Ellen’s work into American media. Mamah explains that the Woman Movement in the United States is focused on suffrage and equal pay, but Ellen believes women need to escape society’s expectations. These expectations forced Ellen to be careful with her decisions in order to be taken seriously. Mamah compares Ellen to Frank because they both have ideas about what a home is and like to write.

Mamah reunites with Frank in Fiesole, Italy. They work on their own projects, and Mamah finds joy in translating Ellen’s work. They take hikes with Taylor Woolley, who assists Frank in his work. Sometimes, Mamah and Taylor explore the Italian landscape together, though he is reticent to ask her about herself; instead, he teaches her how to use a camera. Mamah and Frank also see the gardens of Villa Medici, and he comments on the small houses built into the hillside and how they remind him of Japan. He explains the natural aesthetics of farming and the way that Japanese farmers till land: “[T]he rhythm of the land finds a way of asserting itself” (155).

The next day, Mamah and Frank go to Florence, where Frank stayed when he first arrived in Italy. They stay the night, and as they eat breakfast, Frank sketches a building on their tablecloth. Mamah thinks the building is the Villa Medici, but Frank explains that the river in his drawing is the Wisconsin River. He wants to build them a house near a hill in Wisconsin that he often visited as child. Mamah still does not want to return to the United States and asks him to build them a house in Italy—where she can be unknown and her children can visit for part of the year.

Frank and Mamah avoid talking about Wisconsin. One night, Frank is working on a design that Mamah recognizes as the house he built for her and Ed. Next to this design is another house on the hillside, and Frank says he designed both for her. Mamah is delighted, realizing the hillside house is meant to be in Fiesole; however, he does not commit to staying in Italy. Still, Mamah imagines their life there, hoping their spouses will agree to divorce.

On Taylor’s last day in Italy, Mamah finds a letter that Frank wrote to someone named Walter. She learns from Taylor that Frank borrowed money from Walter, a past business partner. Frank gave him Japanese prints instead of money, and Walter was upset about it; Walter supposedly altered some of Frank’s plans while he was away. Through these stories, Mamah realizes how demanding Frank can be, but Taylor doesn’t think his boss is unreasonable.

When Frank returns home, Mamah asks him about Walter’s letter, concerned about him hiding financial troubles from her. Frank claims he’ll bring in money with his projects and that he likes to have beautiful items around to spark inspiration. He gives her a dress he bought in town that day. That night, they dine with Taylor. Frank drinks and goes on about how American architects follow the traditions of monarchy rather than democracy and individualism.

Before Frank and Mamah go to bed, he drunkenly confides that he is going back to his family, his six children in particular. He also feels like his apprentices have been using his ideas for their work. Mamah understands his mindset but is angry. While Frank sleeps, she looks at his letters, finding a letter from a minister advising him to leave her—clearly upset that she works for Ellen Key. She realizes Frank has also been struggling with the scandal surrounding their affair.

In the morning, Mamah reveals she has decided to stay in Europe, as Ellen mentioned she could get a teaching position in Berlin. Two years have passed since she lived with Ed, so she is able to get a divorce even if he doesn’t agree. Frank suggests she come with him to Chicago, but she does not want to face reporters yet. They plan the next few weeks and dream of owning a house together, as Frank plans on saving money for it. Before Taylor leaves that day, Mamah gives him Frank’s drawing of the Fiesole house—for safekeeping.

By October of 1910, Mamah is living in Berlin—specifically, in a boardinghouse with a friend of Ellen’s; she teaches at a girls’ seminary. She registers at the police station since she will be in Berlin for longer than two weeks; she misses talking to Frank. As Mamah translates, she hopes her work will cause change in the Woman Movement in the United States; however, she is currently uninspired by the movement. At night, she dreams of her children; Ed refuses to allow the nanny to bring them to Europe.

A letter from Lizzie reports that Frank made it home and that he appears to be back together with his wife; she also hears that he left Catherine with a $900 grocery debt. She wants to know if there is still anything between Mamah and Frank and adds that Ed would welcome her home. Mamah writes back, explaining that Frank returned to the United States to provide for his family. She expresses her decision to remain in Europe and thanks Lizzie for all she has done for her family. She does not voice her financial struggle or uncertainty regarding Frank’s return to her. Mamah prays by reciting a poem and then, feeling inspired, writes to Ellen asking for advice.

Mamah begins to translate letters into English for people hoping to go to America for work; many are parents hoping their children will find a better life. In return, these people barter with what they have. Mamah finds fulfillment in helping others but still misses Frank. She doesn’t know what she’ll do if he doesn’t want to be with her anymore. Regardless, she decides to figure out how to get some custody of her children when she finally returns to the United States.

Mamah goes to Café des Westens for a show, where she meets the waitress who comforted her when Mattie died. The woman, Else, introduces her to her friends, many of whom are involved in the German Modernist movement. Mamah enjoys their company and doesn’t feel judged when she tells them about Frank. She and this group of women meet up again after the show, and Mamah admires how Else doesn’t allow others’ views of her to control her life. She continues to visit the café, enjoying the conversations among the poets and artists that frequent it.

On January 10, 1911, Mamah goes to the post office and finds an envelope from Ed suing her for divorce on the grounds of desertion. She informs Frank.

Mamah’s landlady tells her that Frank is waiting for her, and Mamah embraces him. He has to deal with benefactor Ernst Wasmuth after a photo book printing went awry because of errors on the printing plates. Wasmuth wants to cancel the project, and Frank has come to change his mind. At home, his children dislike him, and he thinks Catherine will continue to refuse divorce. However, he still wants to live in Wisconsin with Mamah. Frank draws a Druid symbol for “[t]ruth against the world,” and Mamah agrees (197).