These Elizabeth Bowen stories and E. M. Forster’s A Passage to India both have their own portrayals surrounding the idea of young women needing to be married. In A Passage to India, it is Miss Quested’s potential marriage to Mr. Heaslop that contributes to a good amount of the story’s events. The importance is quite clear when it is said of Mrs. Moore, “And she regretted afterwards that she had not kept to the real serious subject that had caused her to visit India— namely, the relationship between Ronny and Adela. Would they, or would they not, succeed in becoming engaged to be married?” (pg. 52). Though we do not hear much more concerning her other than her apparent continued friendly contact with Fielding, it appears by the end of A Passage to India that Adela still remains unmarried. In Bowen’s stories, marriage and betrothal have more of a sense of urgency to them. When describing Kathleen Drover’s past, it is said, “She did not reject other lovers, for these failed to appear: for years she failed to attract men – and with the approach of her ‘thirties she became natural enough to share her family’s anxiousness on this score.” (pg. 96). In “The Happy Autumn Fields” marriage is mentioned in relation to multiple girls in the family. Near the beginning it is stated, “Constance gave Papa her attention but not her thoughts, for she had already been sought in marriage.” (pg. 107), and later on Henrietta remarks, “I should like to climb the volcano. But then I am not a man, and am still less likely ever to be a bride.” (pg. 121). The importance of marriage for young women of this time is irrefutable. The difference in urgency, and circumstance of these engagements shows how intricate this important aspect of life could become.