New Women and Feminism
Gertrude, Lucy, and Phyllis Lorimer all exhibit the qualities of the New Woman movement, and all show slightly different aspects of it in their personalities. This is a movement that was predominantly urban and the sisters are self-sufficient, feisty and bold. They are not only financially independent out of necessity, but they also have an independence of thought that women in previous generations were not permitted to have. They challenge rules and they challenge the status quo. This is not something that previous generations did.
The theme is also evident through Fanny. She is treated as something of a joke by the other sisters because of her traditional beliefs. Gertrude frequently dismisses her all together and finds her lack of independence an annoyance.
Seeing, And Being Seen
There was nothing more important to London society at the time of this novel than being seen out and about at all the right places with all the right people. The way in which the Lorimer sisters accomplish this is by shining a light on their photographic subjects, and being seen almost by default. Because their photography enable them to rub shoulders with artists, they were able to meet and socialize with many art figures whom they would otherwise never have met. Their talents also validate them, giving them a reason to be at an opening or a show and making it easier for them as independent and unaccompanied women to go to these places.
Stigma of Being a Working Woman
There was a great deal of stigma in society as a whole against women in the workplace. The Lorimers have no choice in this matter; if they don't work, they would starve. However, their decision to start a business of their own instead of looking for work for someone else is something that could have led to a great deal of social isolation, and disapproval. The fact that they have no option financially other than working is somewhat of a propellant for them and gives them the confidence to enter the workplace. It was also frowned upon for women to be out in public places unaccompanied, and the sisters also break through this social taboo as well.
Penniless Artists
One of the lesser themes in the book is the difficulty of making a living as an artist. The chief example of this is Frank Jermyn; he is a successful and admired artist yet to make a living he also has to take work with a newspaper providing engravings to go with news stories. This is surprising for an artist who is respected and whose work sells well.
