The novel explores the lives of three women from different social classes in a small New England town during the late 19th century. The protagonist, a young and impoverished woman, struggles to maintain her dignity while working as a servant for a wealthy family. Meanwhile, the mistress of the house is trapped in a loveless marriage, and a third woman, a widow, lives on the outskirts of society, ostracized due to her scandalous past. Through their interconnected stories, the novel examines themes of class, gender, and social inequality.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1874 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism