The story revolves around the complex relationship between three main characters: Olive Chancellor a feminist and reformer; Basil Ransom a conservative lawyer from Mississippi; and Verena Tarrant a young woman with a natural talent for public speaking. Olive becomes infatuated with Verenas charismatic abilities and envisions her as a symbol of the feminist movement. Olive driven by her strong beliefs and desire for social change seeks to influence Verena and bring her into the fold of her progre