Lee and Simon’s Marriage

American Rust

Lee’s affection for Simon competes with the life she left behind, and her secrecy about Poe and Isaac threatens the stability her marriage represents.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Marriage by Decision A Marriage by Decision from "American Rust". A Marriage by Decision A sudden commitment Lee English marries Simon through a quick civil ceremony rather than a traditional wedding.

A Marriage by Decision from "American Rust". A Marriage by Decision A sudden commitment Lee English marries Simon through a quick civil ceremony rather than a traditional wedding.

A Marriage by Decision A sudden commitment Lee English marries Simon through a quick civil ceremony rather than a traditional wedding. Their marriage also helps secure support for her father’s care. Stability with doubts She values the life and resources the marriage offers, but worries that she entered it partly to prove forgiveness after Simon’s past infidelity.

The Visit Home The Visit Home from "American Rust". The Visit Home Distance revealed Lee comes to Buell to help Henry and finds her brother increasingly isolated.

The Visit Home from "American Rust". The Visit Home Distance revealed Lee comes to Buell to help Henry and finds her brother increasingly isolated.

The Visit Home Distance revealed Lee comes to Buell to help Henry and finds her brother increasingly isolated. Simon remains elsewhere, with his own family and social world. Two lives to balance Lee tells herself she can care for her family while preserving her marriage, but each obligation makes the separation more difficult to manage.

Poe’s Embrace Poe’s Embrace from "American Rust". Poe’s Embrace A concealed affair Lee sleeps with Billy Poe and tells him she still loves him.

Poe’s Embrace A concealed affair Lee sleeps with Billy Poe and tells him she still loves him. She has not told Simon about the encounter or fully settled what her marriage means. The cost of secrecy Isaac overhears them. Lee’s private choice becomes a rupture with her brother as well as a concealed breach in her marriage.

The Checkbook Question The Checkbook Question from "American Rust". The Checkbook Question Seeking help Lee considers using her and Simon’s money to obtain a lawyer for Billy, knowing that a strong defense may create…

The Checkbook Question from "American Rust". The Checkbook Question Seeking help Lee considers using her and Simon’s money to obtain a lawyer for Billy, knowing that a strong defense may create…

The Checkbook Question Seeking help Lee considers using her and Simon’s money to obtain a lawyer for Billy, knowing that a strong defense may create difficulties for Isaac. Competing loyalties She weighs her brother’s safety against her marriage and the consequences of revealing the affair. The decision exposes how much of her life is built on information she withholds.

Keeping the Secret Keeping the Secret from "American Rust". Keeping the Secret A private anchor Lee calls Simon, draws comfort from his voice, and tells him that her brother may need legal help without revealing her…

Keeping the Secret from "American Rust". Keeping the Secret A private anchor Lee calls Simon, draws comfort from his voice, and tells him that her brother may need legal help without revealing her…

Keeping the Secret A private anchor Lee calls Simon, draws comfort from his voice, and tells him that her brother may need legal help without revealing her relationship with Poe. Compartmentalized affection Simon offers support and says he loves her. Lee returns that love, but the marriage now contains a secret she expects to keep alone.

Before Lee returns to Buell

The week Lee returns

The first night back

The night Poe explains the killing

After calling Simon