'Mrs. Warren's Daughter' Summary

Sir Harry Johnston's novel picks up where Shaw's play leaves off, following Vivie Warren's path as she embraces the burgeoning women's rights movement. The novel spans several years, charting Vivie's experiences as a prominent figure in the fight for suffrage, her encounters with influential figures, and the emotional complexities of her relationships. She witnesses the growing unrest that will lead to the outbreak of World War I, her own principles challenged by the realities of war and its impact on society. Johnston explores the hypocrisy of Victorian and Edwardian morality, contrasting the societal expectations placed upon women with the realities of their lives and the burgeoning desire for change. The novel's narrative culminates in Vivie's reckoning with her past, her personal evolution, and her place in a rapidly changing world.