All would have been fine if he just shared his predicament with his wife

She might have comforted him and gave him some ideas but I don't think he would want her to run around town telling everyone hoping to get donations. If it all didn't happen so quickly and unexpectedly, he might have told everyone he didn't want their money.

My feeling is that George was the type of person who internalize their emotions and try to deal with it himself

Now days a wife would probably divorce my butt if I said anything like that. Why would you want to be with someone who screwed over so many people? Easier to get the children, get out, and pull money from the thieve (your husband). Maybe not all women would think like that; however, I would find it tough that that is how it would all go down.

THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS HERE!!!

George's financial struggle was tough enough, but his sense of pride dragged him
down even more. He probably didn't allow his wife to work, as he was embarrassed
by the idea that he couldn't support the family on his own. He was paranoid about the way everyone else in town looked at his family, as evidenced by the way he roared at the teacher about how maybe his kids weren't the best dressed (she hadn't suggested anything of the sort). Then there was that look he exchanged with Mary at the end of the film, when he discovers that's she's sent a telegram to his old romantic rival Sam
Wainwright asking for money. After the whole celebration finally tapers out, you can just bet that that's going to be a topic of discussion between them for days or weeks on end. No wonder that Christmas tree is trembling behind them.



I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

Hewwo.