Ylhäisiä Naisia

A collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the lives and experiences of women from distinguished families, examining themes of social class and individual desires in a historical context. Each story focuses on different female characters navigating societal expectations and personal conflicts, offering a glimpse into their struggles and triumphs. The opening of the collection introduces the first story, ''Wessex’s First Countess,'' where we meet a young girl named Betty who becomes embroiled in a conflict over her marital fate between her ambitious mother and concerned father. The atmosphere is fraught with tension as her parents debate a potential match for her, setting the stage for Betty’s internal battles against parental control and societal norms. With vivid descriptions and lively dialogue, Hardy draws readers into Betty's world, foreshadowing her emerging individuality amid the constraints of her lineage. This opening section captivates with its rich character development and establishes the thematic focus on the complexities of women's roles in society.