It tells the story of Clorinda, an arguably dislikable heroine living in the late seventeenth-century. With her mother having died whilst giving birth to her, Clorinda is brought up by her disreputable father who brings her up wearing 'boys clothes' and doing 'boy things'. However, as she gets older, Clorinda realises that she must act like a woman if she is to marry. However, her strong will and independence and refusal to do as others wish, culminate in her having to keep a terrible secret from her eventual husband.