What Can She Do?

"What Can She Do?" by Edward Payson Roe is a story set in a late 19th-century wealthy household, following the lives of three sisters, Edith, Laura, and Zell, as they grapple with family tensions and societal limitations on women. The story opens on a chilly January day in New York City, presenting Edith as a spirited and caring young woman. She hopes to cheer up her sick mother with special gifts, only to be met with a cold response. The narrative then reveals a family dynamic marked by an indifferent mother, a father absorbed in business, and the distinct personalities of each sister. As they come of age, the sisters face tough choices between personal desires and what society demands, emphasizing themes of independence and moral courage in a restrictive social world.