Sinclair Ross' As For Me and My House is a story of the struggle of a minister and his wife during the depression in the prairies. It is told through the eyes of his wife, Mrs. Bentley, and the entries in her journal. At the time of publication, it received little praise, and was disregarded for the most part. This was due to the animosity for the depression; As For Me and My House being released at the end of the depression and outbreak of war, most readers did not wish to be reminded of harsh times. In the late 1950s as the depression no longer loomed in people's minds, As For Me and My House received more praise and was widely read. It is now recognized as one of Canada's most accomplished novels. Sinclair Ross has always been a humble writer, publishing only four novels in over half a century of writing, and along with maintaining his job at the bank, he is considered a 'Sunday writer'. As For Me and My House is not just another depression novel telling of drought, hard times, hypocritical religion, and small-town prejudices. It has received much praise for development of characters through the use of first person narrative, the creating of atmosphere through the use of false fronts, and the enhancement of plot through the use of symbolism.
             Ross wanted to use the first person narrative of Mrs. Bentley to deliver his rather straightforward plot for the character development. Publicly, Mrs. Bentley appears to be a good, hospitable, Christian, wife. But it is only in her diary that she admits her real motives behind her actions. Mrs. Bentley in one instance invites over a friend of the Bentleys, Judith for dinner. Mrs. Bentley had suspected Judith and Phillip of an affair, and in hopes of eradicating the truth, observed the actions of Judith and Phillip thoroughly: "Phillip excused himself again as soon as supper was over...I think that's maybe why I asked her-to watch her eyes follow him, her ...