W. Somerset Maugham's 1905 novel, 'The Merry-Go-Round,' set in Edwardian England, explores the melodrama of unequal marriages and societal constraints. The story centers on a group of individuals with troubled lives, particularly focusing on women asserting control over their lives and romantic pursuits. A key character is the wealthy, meddling Miss Ley, who hosts a dinner party introducing other characters preoccupied with marriage, including Basil Kent's infatuation with Mrs. Murray and his offer to marry a pregnant barmaid.