The novel explores the lives of two women, a wealthy widow and a poor working-class woman, who are connected by their relationships with men and their struggles for independence and self-expression in a patriarchal society. Through their stories, the novel critiques the social and economic limitations placed on women during the late 19th century and advocates for greater autonomy and equality.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Literary Fiction