* Reconciling her artistic ambitions with societal expectations: Theodora is a talented writer, but society expects her to focus on marriage and domesticity. This clash between her personal desire for artistic expression and societal pressures creates tension within her.
* Finding her voice as a writer: Theodora faces a creative block, unsure of her direction and struggling to find her unique style. She doubts her talent and worries about the validity of her writing.
* Overcoming her insecurities and fear of failure: Theodora is deeply self-conscious and afraid of criticism. She fears that her writing will not be successful and that she will disappoint those around her, especially her husband.
The story explores these internal conflicts through Theodora's anxieties, frustrations, and ultimately, her journey toward self-discovery and acceptance. The external conflict of her strained marriage to a successful lawyer provides a backdrop to her inner turmoil, but it is not the primary source of conflict in the story.