Women have no means given them, whereby they can resist the 'claims of social life'. But if not, not. If she has nothing to show, she must resign herself to her fate. Women often strive to live by intellect. But a woman cannot live in the light of intellect.
Society forbids it.
Those conventional frivolities, which are called her 'duties', forbid it. And all these things are exacted from her by her family which, if she is good and affectionate, will have more influence with her than the world. It is too narrow a field for the development of an immortal spirit, be that spirit male or female. The chances are a thousand to one that, in that small sphere, the task for which that immortal spirit is destined by the qualities and the gifts which its Creator has placed within it, will not be found. The family uses people, not for, what they are, nor for what they are intended to be, but for what it wants them for- for its own uses.