Feminism
The main commentary that the book poses is that of taking a feminist stance against well-established social values and ideologies. Doreen is, initially, happy to accept these social practices by agreeing to a traditional marriage, but there remains in her some doubt about her expected role as a mother and wife.
Love
Love is shown through mainly a romantic form in the relationships that Doreen establishes with different men across her lifetime. Whilst she is content with her marriage with Martin, it is more a role she is expected to undertake. Their love is not passionate, and later, becomes difficult what with their different perspective of her role in their marriage. Unlike this, her relationship with Joseph is based on her being an equal.
Society
The breakdown of Doreen’s first marriage is partially as a result of the societal expectations placed upon her. There is an expectation for her to give birth to a son, so as to fulfill her apparent role as a mother. Her failure to do this, however, leads to her being shunned and mistreated by her family.
