Since She first appeared, critics and readers have analyzed Haggard's tale to discover its deeper meanings. Some critics have argued that the characters are allegorical figures who stand for certain moral values or psychological attitudes. Leo Vincey, Ustane (the native girl who loves him), and Job are common literary stock characters. Leo is the handsome and noble, but not particularly intelligent, young hero. Ustane is the beautiful, self-sacrificing maiden, in love with the hero. However, as her defiance of Ayesha shows, Ustane becomes a far stronger character than many female characters in adventure stories. Job, as his name implies, is the long-suffering servant, who is devoted, honest, and humble. Like his Biblical namesake, he patiently endures the numerous trials of the expedition. As in most such adventure stories, these characters embody certain virtues.

However, because they are all relatively one-dimensional, they are far less...