Marriage, for all it's intent and purposes is a beautiful institution. A marriage between two people is a commitment that should be based on love, honesty, trust, and fidelity. But, what happens to a marriage if these basic fundamentals are flawed due to circumstance, can it still survive? Is there ever a good reason to deceive the person you love and are married to even if it's for his or her own good? In marriage, people will lie for many reasons. People will lie to avoid arguments over minute issues; some may lie to prove a point. And, there are times when a person may lie in order to protect the person they love.
             In the tale "New Year's Day", you will find Lizzie Hazeldean, a woman who lied for three reasons. Lizzie lied for the sake of love. Lizzie lied to protect her husband's honor of caring and providing for his wife, and she lied due to the commitment she felt to Charles and their marriage on a whole.
             Lizzie Hazeldean loved her husband Charles very deeply. So deep that in order to protect and comfort him in his final days on earth due to heart damage; she must create a world based on deception. Lizzie must lie to everyone in order to fortify her clever tale. At home from the hotel fire she lies to her parlor maid Susan. When out socializing, she lies to a young and naive Hubert Wesson upon their meeting at a social event and of course, she lies to her husband Charles. These lies are told in attempts to shield Charles from the reality of the truth. However, with every dishonest word that she utters Lizzie, in fact, is honoring Charles. Honoring his intention to care and provide for his wife. But, due to his damaged heart he can no longer honor his intended vow. Lizzie is quite aware of her husband's fears. So in attempts to relax his fears and to comfort him in his final days, Lizzie continues the illusion of "high society" and economic independence.
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