The Vicar's Daughter by George MacDonald is a novel that centers on Ethelwyn Percivale, a young woman reflecting on her life as she embarks on a new journey of marriage and self-discovery. The story unfolds through Ethelwyn's introspective narration as she leaves her parents' home to start a new life with her husband, Percivale. In the early chapters, she shares her emotional struggles and insecurities, especially about her ability to document her life and express her story.
Ethelwyn's relationships with her parents play a pivotal role in shaping her understanding of love, identity, and personal growth. Her father, a philosophical figure, provides wisdom that influences her worldview, while her mother's nurturing presence offers emotional support. Throughout the narrative, themes of fidelity, familial bonds, and the tensions between societal expectations and personal desires emerge. As Ethelwyn reflects on her experiences, the novel explores her journey of maturation, grappling with emerging adulthood, the complexities of marriage, and the search for individuality within a changing world.