Milton Schwartz's Second Chance

Lady in the Lake

This person-focused flow follows Milton Schwartz from abandoned husband to man who remarries and lets go of Maddie.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Civic Hero Worship Civic Hero Worship from "Lady in the Lake". Civic Hero Worship Milton Schwartz plays tennis with Wallace Wright and brings the famous broadcaster home, hoping for a triumphant dinner party.

Civic Hero Worship from "Lady in the Lake". Civic Hero Worship Milton Schwartz plays tennis with Wallace Wright and brings the famous broadcaster home, hoping for a triumphant dinner party.

Civic Hero Worship Milton Schwartz plays tennis with Wallace Wright and brings the famous broadcaster home, hoping for a triumphant dinner party. Context Milton is a good man, a bit of a name-dropper, unaware that his wife's past with Wally is deeper than dinner-table banter. Significance The dinner is a catalyst for Maddie's decision to leave. Milton's trust in both his wife and his new friend blinds him.

House Left Behind House Left Behind from "Lady in the Lake". House Left Behind Maddie moves out of the Pikesville house, and Seth refuses to go with her. Milton remains in the family home as both father and mother.

House Left Behind from "Lady in the Lake". House Left Behind Maddie moves out of the Pikesville house, and Seth refuses to go with her. Milton remains in the family home as both father and mother.

House Left Behind Maddie moves out of the Pikesville house, and Seth refuses to go with her. Milton remains in the family home as both father and mother. Context He is confused and hurt, unable to understand why his wife left a comfortable life for a downtown apartment. He assumes there is another man. Significance Milton's first response is practical: He offers weekends in the house and an allowance. His generosity is also a form of control.

Seth's Loyalty Seth's Loyalty from "Lady in the Lake". Seth's Loyalty Seth chooses to stay with his father, a decision Milton neither encourages nor prevents. The house becomes quieter and more desperate.

Seth's Loyalty Seth chooses to stay with his father, a decision Milton neither encourages nor prevents. The house becomes quieter and more desperate. Context Milton tries to be both parents, taking Seth to dinners and managing the teenage moods. Maddie is reduced to Wednesday night visits. Significance Seth's loyalty gives Milton a victory but not a reconciliation. The father and son are together because the mother left them both.

Stingy Allowance Stingy Allowance from "Lady in the Lake". Stingy Allowance Milton gives Maddie an unpredictable allowance, too small to live on and too large to ignore.

Stingy Allowance from "Lady in the Lake". Stingy Allowance Milton gives Maddie an unpredictable allowance, too small to live on and too large to ignore.

Stingy Allowance Milton gives Maddie an unpredictable allowance, too small to live on and too large to ignore. She suspects he is trying to starve her back to marriage. Context The checks arrive in Seth's hands at their weekly dinners. Maddie is forced to sell her car and stage a burglary for money. Significance Milton's financial control is his last form of marital power. It pushes Maddie further into deception and independence.

Ali Whoever Ali Whoever from "Lady in the Lake". Ali Whoever Milton tells Maddie about Ali, a twenty-five-year-old woman he plans to marry.

Ali Whoever Milton tells Maddie about Ali, a twenty-five-year-old woman he plans to marry. He is besotted and cannot remember whether Ali is short for something. Context The divorce lunch is awkward but honest. Milton asks for a clean break, and Maddie agrees to cooperate. Significance Milton's second chance is almost a copy of his first marriage. Maddie realizes she has been replaced but feels relief rather than jealousy.

Walking Her Home Walking Her Home from "Lady in the Lake". Walking Her Home After the divorce lunch, Milton insists on walking Maddie to her apartment. He offers to do right by her and then says goodbye at the door.

Walking Her Home from "Lady in the Lake". Walking Her Home After the divorce lunch, Milton insists on walking Maddie to her apartment. He offers to do right by her and then says goodbye at the door.

Walking Her Home After the divorce lunch, Milton insists on walking Maddie to her apartment. He offers to do right by her and then says goodbye at the door. Context Maddie considers inviting him upstairs but decides against it. She kisses him on the cheek, and they separate as strangers who were once intimate. Significance Milton lets go with grace. His dignity makes Maddie's freedom possible, and he becomes one of the few men in her life who does not try to possess her.

October 1965

late 1965

January 1966

early 1966

October 1966