The novel explores the lives of three women from different social classes and their struggles with identity, morality, and relationships. The protagonist, a wealthy widow, is haunted by the ghost of her former lover, symbolizing the societal expectations that restrict women's freedom. Meanwhile, a young working-class woman faces poverty and exploitation, and a middle-class woman navigates the limitations of her marriage. Through these characters' experiences, the novel critiques the patriarchal society and advocates for women's rights and independence.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1892 · Genre: Short Stories, Fiction, Supernatural · 10 chapters