Adeline Mowbray attempts to live by her radical philosophical principles regarding love and marriage, only to find herself ostracized by the rigid social structures of her time. Raised by a mother who encourages intellectual independence, Adeline adopts the unconventional theories of the philosopher Frederic Glenmurray. She chooses to live with him without the legal sanction of marriage, a decision that triggers intense social condemnation and familial conflict. The narrative follows her struggle to reconcile her idealistic beliefs with the harsh realities of a society that refuses to accept her choices. The story is presented through a third-person perspective that examines the logical consequences of radical social experiments in a conservative environment.

Discussion often centers on the novel's role as a bridge between the radicalism of the 1790s and the more conservative literary climate of the early 19th century. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of Opie's satire in exposing the hypocrisy inherent in contemporary attitudes toward women and marriage. Critics often note that the protagonist's development serves as a vehicle for exploring the friction between abstract theory and lived experience. The work is widely recognized for its nuanced portrayal of the social costs associated with challenging established conventions. Many scholars emphasize the importance of the text in understanding the intellectual climate that influenced later feminist discourse.