"What Can She Do?" by Edward Payson Roe is a novel that explores the lives of three sisters as they navigate familial relationships and societal expectations in a wealthy household. The story begins on a cold January day introducing the characters and the complex dynamics within their family. One sister is depicted as lively and determined, nurturing and hopeful in her attempts to care for her ailing mother, but her efforts are met with a disheartening response. The family is marked by strained relationships, with a detached mother, a father absorbed in business, and sisters with contrasting personalities. As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that the sisters must reconcile their desires with societal expectations, particularly regarding independence and roles for women. The narrative delves into the themes of self-reliance and moral strength, as the sisters face the pressures of their social environment, forcing them to confront their own aspirations and limitations within the constraints of their class and time.
