advocate for women's rights. The opening of the novel introduces Hélène and Minna in a train traveling toward Rouen, where Hélène reflects on her privileged upbringing, her aspirations for a meaningful life, and her conflicts with her family over her views on women's roles. Minna, with a challenging past, represents a contrasting perspective as a symbol of the struggles faced by many women seeking independence. Their conversation sets the tone for Hélène's coming-of-age journey, as she contemplates her choices and the concept of freedom, while the narrative hints at the societal pressures she will soon confront as she returns to her family home and the expectations that await her there. (This is an automatically generated summary.)