Gender Inequality

One of Joan’s greatest obstacles to overcome is society’s oppression of women. At the beginning of the novel, she feels her worth is tied directly to who she will marry. While she starts to value herself as much as a man, this inequality is a systemic problem that will continue to plague her beyond this novel.

There are many times throughout the novel that Joan acknowledges the unfairness women face. The most important one to her, though, is the fact that she cannot pursue her passions unless she marries a man who allows it. The best example of this is her love for metalworking. Despite Joan's magical talents, her father, a well-respected goldsmith, chose an apprentice over her. Joan acknowledges the unfairness of this, saying, “Her only other option was to marry Henry and hope she outlived him. A widow could inherit a...