Jezebel's Daughter

"Jezebel's Daughter" by Wilkie Collins is a novel that explores the complex lives of two widows in the late 1800s after tragedy strikes. Mrs. Wagner is determined to bring her late husband's forward-thinking business plans to life, which include expanding roles for women, while Madame Fontaine finds herself and her daughter caught in a web of scandal and judgment due to questions about her past. The central narrative focuses on David Glenney's account of the events surrounding the deaths of both men and how he witnesses Mrs. Wagner's growing sympathy and relationship with Madame Fontaine. Through these relationships, the book considers themes of social expectations, the strength of women, and the challenges of defending one's honor in the face of prejudice.