The Group (1966) Plot Summary Explained

Lakey, the natural leader of the group, traveled to Europe to begin a new life on her own. As the wealthiest and most beautiful member of their circle, she sought independence and adventure beyond the expected path of marriage and domestic life that awaited her friends back home. Her departure represented a conscious rejection of conventional expectations for women in the 1930s.

• lakey
• europe
• independence
• leader
• graduation

Priss married an overbearing doctor in the 1930s, a time when women's options were limited and marital stability was heavily emphasized. Despite his controlling nature, she remained in the marriage, eventually experiencing two miscarriages before finally giving birth to a son. The societal pressures of the era, combined with her desire for a family, made leaving seem impossible even as the relationship grew more oppressive.

• priss
• husband
• marriage
• miscarriages
• control

Kay, who was wealthier and less sophisticated than the other women despite being Lakey's protégé, became trapped in a toxic marriage to an abusive playwright. The relationship was marked by his infidelity and harsh treatment, casting a dark shadow over her early adult years. Her choice reflected limited options and potentially low self-worth, though the summary does not fully explain her initial attraction to him.

• kay
• playwright
• abuse
• marriage
• infidelity

After ending an affair with a cold, sarcastic painter, Dottie chose to leave her flamboyant, unconventional life in Greenwich Village. She married a dull Arizona businessman, trading artistic freedom for domestic stability. This shift represented the broader theme of compromise that characterized many of the women's lives, choosing security over personal passion, even when it meant sacrificing her earlier vibrancy.

• dottie
• greenwich village
• marriage
• compromise
• artist

When Lakey returned home in 1939 as Europe moved toward war, her traveling companion was revealed to be more than a casual friend, the group discovered Lakey was a lesbian. This revelation unsettled the old dynamic, forcing each woman to reexamine their understanding of Lakey and reassess the bonds they shared. The discovery added a new layer of complexity to their long-standing friendship during a time when such identities were heavily stigmatized.

• lakey
• lesbian
• revelation
• friends
• 1939

The summary does not provide specific details about how Kay died, only stating that tragedy claimed her life in 1940. The circumstances of her death remain ambiguous, though her unhappy marriage to an abusive playwright and the psychological toll of her troubled relationship likely contributed to her fate. Her death brought the scattered group back together for one final gathering.

• kay
• death
• 1940
• tragedy
• funeral

Pokey, one of the eight women, dedicated her life to caring for two sets of twins. This demanding motherhood role shaped her daily existence, consuming her time and energy in a way that contrasted sharply with the more glamorous or ambitious paths taken by her friends. Her experience represented the challenging reality of motherhood without the resources or help that wealthier women in the group possessed.

• pokey
• twins
• motherhood
• family
• daily life

Libby climbed to success in the literary world, achieving acclaim and influence throughout the 1930s and 1940s. However, critics noted that her work often lacked depth. This tension between achievement and substance reflected her character, someone who pursued external success rather than artistic integrity. Her arc illustrated how ambition alone does not guarantee meaningful accomplishment.

• libby
• literary career
• success
• critics
• writing

Helena spent the 1930s and 1940s journeying across the globe in search of fulfillment, yet she remained unable to find lasting happiness within domestic life. Her constant travel represented a desire for adventure that clashed with society's expectations for women to settle down. Her struggle highlighted that outward freedom does not guarantee inner contentment, and that some forms of unhappiness stem from internal rather than external circumstances.

• helena
• travel
• happiness
• world
• search

Polly initially pursued an affair with a married man, an experience that left her emotionally unsettled. However, this tumultuous relationship eventually led her to discover genuine happiness with a kind doctor. Her journey demonstrated how forbidden or unhealthy relationships can sometimes push someone toward recognizing what they truly need, ultimately guiding them toward a healthier, more genuine connection.

• polly
• affair
• married man
• doctor
• happiness

Kay's death in 1940 sent shockwaves through the circle of friends who had drifted apart over the years. The tragedy forced all eight women to reunite one last time, marking a painful turning point that bound the survivors together through shared loss and memory. Lakey returned specifically to attend the funeral, bringing the group back together at a moment of grief and reflection.

Foreshadowing: Earlier conflicts and marriages foreshadowed divergent paths that would culminate in this tragic reunion.

• kay
• death
• funeral
• reunion
• tragedy
• 1940

At Kay's funeral in 1940, the eight women gathered for one final farewell despite years of separation. Though their lives had taken vastly different paths, some finding happiness, others facing tragedy, they were united by their shared history from their elite school days and the bonds formed in young adulthood. The gathering represented a poignant closure to their collective journey, highlighting how shared experiences can endure despite time and distance.

• funeral
• reunion
• friendship
• history
• closure