The story begins with another subtle biblical allusion, this time to the prophet Moses, as the narrator tells the story of how Eliza, as a child, was abandoned. The memories of that day are mixed. Eliza believes it was lying in a soap box, because she remembers the smell; but Rose says she found little Eliza in a wicker basket, reminiscent of Moses' adoption. Although the details of her life are not significantly tied to the story of Moses, Eliza is, in her own way, a leader, demonstrating through her adventures that there is a path women can follow that will lead to freedom. Eliza's oppression comes in many forms. She must first deal with Rose, who insists on dressing her in elegant clothes to impress her society friends. Because Eliza doesn't have to dirty these expensive clothes, she is imprisoned inside them, unable to romp around the house like the playful child she is. As she grows, she must wear a corset, a tight, rigidly braced bodice that artificially creates a small waist and high breasts—feminine characteristics that attract men. To encourage so-called correct posture, Eliza is also equipped with a metal rod that is placed on her back while she practices the piano. Although Rose herself is willingly unmarried, understanding that she is much freer when single, she wants to raise Eliza in a way that eliminates the mistakes she made as a young woman. She expresses feminist attitudes and enjoys her semi-independent role, but remains confused when she takes on the mothering role. Eliza is named after Rose's mother, and perhaps... middle of the paper... to be with him. Rather, she chose to share a relationship with him. She has transformed into a much more developed woman. She feels so confident in her new position that she allows her more feminine traits to rise to the surface once again. He discards, at least for a moment, his male props and puts on one of his old clothes. When she does, however, she refuses to squeeze herself into the tight corset she used to wear. The days of confinement are over. She must neither enhance the physical aspects of her femininity through unnatural means nor bolster her confidence by adapting a masculine position. She now understands what it means to be an independent woman, a definition she created for herself.