# What Women's Roles and Identity means in Dangerous Ages

> Neville's struggle to find meaningful work and purpose beyond motherhood and marriage, contrasted with her mother's loss of identity after her domestic role ends, highlights the limited and shifting expectations placed on women.

## Explanation

Neville's struggle to find meaningful work and purpose beyond motherhood and marriage, contrasted with her mother's loss of identity after her domestic role ends, highlights the limited and shifting expectations placed on women.

Gerda embodies a new, sexless purity and frankness about life, challenging Neville's earlier notions of femininity.

Neville feels her life as a wife and mother has been 'disembodied' compared to her husband's career, and the 'surplus women' issue highlights women's limited roles.

Mrs. Hilary's identity was entirely tied to homemaking; now that role is finished, she is 'bankrupt.' Neville contemplates a different path through work and education.

Rosalind's status as 'only an in-law' and her subtle rebellion through exposing Mrs. Hilary's pretensions reflect tensions around women's roles within the family.

## Links

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