Ambition

One of the most dominant themes in the book is that of ambition. Vera has her own ambitions in spite of the environment in which she grew up. She does not want to fit the mold of the provincial wife. She wants an education to help her fulfill her own ambitions. Vera wants to attend Oxford in spite of parental objections, which are finally overcome. When she begins, the war breaks out and she suspends her studies after the first year.

Vera decides she can best serve the war effort by becoming a Red Cross nurse. Even though she finds the work disagreeable, she is not a quitter and perseveres. Her ambition to succeed causes her to be successful in whatever she does, including completion of her studies after the war.

After Somerville, Vera sets her mind to becoming a successful journalist and novelist. She and Winifred have...