The Raft

"The Raft" by Coningsby Dawson is a story set in the early 1900s that looks at affection, union, and the problems encountered by young women in a world where they don't have much say or many chances. We learn about Jehane, a 25-year-old woman who is unhappy because she is single. She wants love and friends as she copes with life in Oxford. At the beginning of the book, we meet Jehane and her closest friend, Nan Tudor. They are sad about not being married while they are at Oxford, and they watch the male students enjoy their lives without worries. They talk about what they want in a relationship and how much they want to get married. We can see how different their dreams are from what is actually happening, especially how worried Jehane is about staying single forever. They talk about William Barrington, who used to be their friend. When he comes back, it stirs up old friendships and maybe starts new possibilities. We also see Jehane's internal struggles with what she wants and how she feels about herself. The beginning shows us a story about dreams that haven't come true and how complicated relationships can be. It shows the expectations that society had for women back then.