Through the stories of their heroines, four beloved female novelists – Jane Austen, Anne Brontë, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Mary Wollstonecraft – challenged cultural expectations regarding women, especially in terms of marriage. Although scripture has all too often been used to oppress women, Fisher demonstrates that in the hands of these novelists and through the actions of their characters, Christian faith can also be a transformative force to liberate women. Part of the Studies in Theology and the Arts series which encourages Christians to thoughtfully engage with the relationship between their faith and artistic expression, with contributions from both theologians and artists on a range of artistic media including visual art, music, poetry, literature, and film. 272 pages, softcover.