Empowerment in the Face of Adversity

Throughout the novel, the author uses Lillian Preston's dimensional and evolving strength, to prove the power of feminine resilience even in the face of significant adversity. Because of the era in which Lillian lives, social and cultural forces perpetually threaten her independence. Despite the litany of societal obstacles in Lillian's way, she proves herself fiercely strong willed, determined not to sacrifice her ambitions and integrity of character.

Lillian's early defiance of her parents' wishes, her decision to move from Ohio and New York, abandoning the comfort of traditional familiarity, is one of the first evidences of her bravery. In the early fifties, a woman aspiring not only to live on her own in the city, but to pursue an artistic career was wildly outside the bounds of conventional norms. Even despite Lillian's still green photographic skill and vision, she knows even...