The Woman Who Did

"The Woman Who Did" by Grant Allen is a story that explores the life of Herminia Barton, a forward-thinking woman, as she grapples with her strong convictions about freedom and love in a society bound by tradition. The novel kicks off when Herminia's summer trip leads to a meeting with Alan Merrick, with whom she connects because of their shared ideas about women's rights. The dialogues between them reveal their developing romantic affection and highlight Herminia's core belief in female autonomy. Through their conversations, the book immediately establishes Herminia's internal conflict between her desire for love and her commitment to challenging the norms of marriage, setting the stage for a narrative driven by themes of love, personal duties, and societal morals.