The protagonist Arabella, consumed by the unrealistic expectations of French heroic romances, attempts to impose the rigid codes of chivalry onto the pragmatic social landscape of 18th-century England. Arabella is a young woman of high status who interprets every mundane interaction through the lens of the extravagant fiction she consumes. Her objective is to live a life of noble virtue and dramatic intrigue, which forces her into constant conflict with her father, her suitors, and the societal norms of her time. The narrative follows her as she misinterprets the intentions of those around her, leading to a series of comedic and often perilous misunderstandings. The story is presented through a third-person perspective that highlights the dissonance between Arabella's internal fantasy world and the external reality of her environment.

Readers and critics frequently note the sharp wit and intellectual rigor Charlotte Lennox employs to deconstruct the popular romance tropes of her era. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the satire, as Arabella's delusions serve as a vehicle for examining the limitations placed on women's agency in the 18th century. Many observers highlight the balance between the comedic absurdity of the protagonist's actions and the underlying critique of how literature shapes individual identity. The work is often studied for its historical significance in the development of the novel form and its connections to the literary circles of Samuel Johnson and Henry Fielding. Readers generally appreciate the linguistic precision and the sustained irony that defines the narrative voice throughout the text.