'The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman' (1914) by H G Wells

'The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman' is a novel exploring themes of personal freedom, marital expectations, and social reform. The story follows Lady Ellen Harman, a woman married to Sir Isaac Harman, a wealthy and authoritarian businessman. Ellen is constrained not only by her husband's controlling nature but also by the restrictive social norms of early 20th-century England.

Throughout the novel, Ellen gradually becomes aware of her own identity and desires, especially as she comes into contact with various social reformers and intellectuals who encourage her to pursue independence. Despite Sir Isaac’s domineering personality and his belief that a wife's role is to serve her husband, Ellen’s self-awareness grows, leading her to question her subservient position and the inequities in her marriage. Wells uses Ellen's journey to critique the societal norms that limit women's freedom and advocate for a more progressive view of gender roles and personal autonomy.

The novel highlights Ellen’s inner conflict between loyalty to her marriage and her yearning for personal freedom, positioning her as a figure representing the struggles of many women of that era. Wells blends romance and social commentary, creating a portrait of an individual's quest for independence in the face of societal and marital pressures.