Women's Suffrage
The book is set against a backdrop of the women's suffrage movement. The Suffragettes were a force, a group of strong women who were willing to sacrifice their time, freedom, and lives, if necessary, in order to try to attain some kind of equal status for women. Wells uses a real-life event, the storming of Parliament, in the story to show how determined the women were and also to show the lengths that they had to go to just to be heard. Ann Veronica is completely controlled by her father, who treats her as both child and possession. He is also able to treat her violently with impunity; this was the way things were at the time and one of the things that women were trying to address with their protest.
The story also shows that there was enormous push-back when it came to making even the smallest steps towards equality. It also shows how far from equal society was.
Violence Against Women
Ann Veronica's father is violent towards her when his words do not achieve his goal. Because he is her father and because she lives in his home, there is no censure or punishment for this. Women were seen as possessions of men; unmarried, they were the property of their father. Married, they became the property of their husband. Violence against women in the home was not considered an offense.
Class System
There are many points in the story at which class is pivotal to the story. For example, not only does Ann Veronica's father forbid her to go to the ball, he is even more outraged that the people she is intending to go there with are lower class, and down at heel. This is something that he feels will bring shame on a middle class family like theirs. The book also shows the social and class divides in London during the time; Morningside Park, a middle-class southern suburb of the capital, Hampstead a far more eclectic social mix in North London.
Individualism and Independence
The theme of "Individualism and Independence" in "Ann Veronica" is central. Ann Veronica rebels against societal norms, seeking personal freedom and self-discovery. Her journey mirrors a broader cultural shift toward recognizing women's rights and autonomy. Enrolling in college under a false name symbolizes her determination to shape her own destiny. The theme underscores the timeless struggle for personal agency in the face of societal expectations.
Rebellion and Nonconformity
"Rebellion and Nonconformity" are central themes in the novel, as Ann Veronica defies societal norms and expectations. She challenges the established roles assigned to women in Edwardian England, seeking personal freedom and self-determination. Ann Veronica's actions force those around her to confront their own beliefs and traditions, making this theme a driving force in the story. Her rebellious spirit represents the broader cultural shifts of the time, as individuals sought to break free from conventional constraints and pursue their own paths in life.
The Suffragette Movement
"The Suffragette Movement" is an important theme in "Ann Veronica." The novel portrays characters like Miss Priscilla Ponderevo and Minnie Radford actively participating in the suffragette movement, advocating for women's right to vote. Their involvement reflects the broader context of the women's suffrage movement in early 20th-century England, highlighting the challenges and dedication of those who fought for gender equality. This theme adds depth to the story by exploring the social and political changes of the era and the evolving roles of women in society.
Love and Relationships
Certainly, the theme of "Love and Relationships" in "Ann Veronica" explores the complexities of romantic and familial connections. Ann Veronica's romantic interests, such as her relationships with Capes and Ramage, play pivotal roles in her personal development and challenge her pursuit of independence. Her interactions with her family, especially her father, showcase the conflicts that arise when personal desires clash with traditional expectations. Throughout the novel, love and relationships serve as catalysts for Ann Veronica's journey and obstacles to her quest for autonomy, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
Angel of the House
Women, in the Victorian Period, were expected to be something summarised as an ‘angel of the house’ essentially deified, but only for their position to serve men, and perhaps, attractiveness, which could be viewed as an additionally form of servitude. In terms of imagery, the light imagery and some of the domestic settings surrounding her character at points in the novel indicate this concept heavily, particularly as appealing to the male fantasy this dictates. In a key way, she chooses this domestic, family life in a way that is vaguely atypical for the time. Often, this position of forced angelism would be a constraint not many women could escape, but actively choosing this lifestyle makes this term of ‘angel of the house’ more significant, as there may be a hidden feminist message within the raw power of personal, decision making and autonomy.
