Letters, Senior Year, Semester II , 1921 April-May

This is the last file containing letters during Henrietta’s academic career at Bryn Mawr. She discusses in these letters her senior graduation plans, her deteriorating relationship with Jim, and her growing romantic interests in Tom, the graduation presents she received from people, and her visit to the State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. Henrietta describes the end-of-senior-year activities in depth, such as the Junior-Senior supper, the Senior Bonfire celebration, a luncheon hosted by President Thomas, Commencement and Garden Party.

Henrietta’s relationship with Tom further develops over the course of these months. While it seems that both parties have romantic feelings for one another, neither cares to admit it. Tom often over the semester comes to visit her at her dorm room or picks her up so she can spend the weekend at his home. She herself talks of how they both “get along famously together” and seems quite infatuated with him. Henrietta’s mother, aunt, and uncle all approve of this relationship. She further loses interested in spending time with Jim, regarding his behavior as overbearing and clingy.

Researchers might find Henrietta’s description of the State Penitentiary of note. After a tour from the warden of the prison, she stated that “Every one of 1676 inmates I saw seemed very contented” and the prisoners were allowed to walk around and do whatever they wanted.