The central conflict arises from the struggle of women to maintain personal autonomy and intellectual integrity within a society that views them as property or secondary beings. The protagonists in these two narratives, Mary and Maria, seek to define their own existence against the rigid constraints of 18th-century patriarchal structures. They face opposition from legal systems, restrictive social expectations, and the physical vulnerability inherent in their gender. The narrative framework utilizes a blend of semi-autobiographical elements and didactic prose to critique the limited options available to women of the era.

Discussion often centers on the raw, unfinished nature of the second narrative and its significance as a precursor to modern feminist literature. Readers frequently highlight the stark contrast between the protagonist's internal aspirations and the external limitations imposed by the legal and social codes of the time. Critics often analyze the text as a direct extension of the author's philosophical treatises, noting how the fiction serves to illustrate the practical consequences of systemic inequality. The pacing is described as deliberate and focused on character development rather than traditional plot progression, which allows for a deeper examination of the themes. Many readers find the work to be a challenging yet essential look at the historical evolution of gender politics.