The main characters, Jo and her mother Helen, are not the typical "straightforward" characters that were often seen in kitchen sink dramas of the time and represented with strong and independent personalities that helped the development of the new woman. Helen is a single mother who desperately believes she needs a man to make her life easier and uses her sexuality to get ahead in life, dragging her daughter through one disastrous relationship after another. Despite Helen's obvious need for men, Helen does not limit herself to the expectations that society and her daughter have of her. Surprisingly, Helen seems to have control over how she takes advantage of the men in her life and to what extent she depends on them to use her. It is clear that she only sees men as a way to find financial satisfaction and is open in declaring her interest in the contents of their pockets rather than an emotional relationship. He also freely admits that Jo's father "didn't have much to do upstairs" and was a half-witted fool, but handsome and kind. Helen is a great example of how women choose the life they live and take control into their own hands. However, Helen is also depicted as a selfish character, particularly neglecting her stereotypical maternal roles. She is determined to enjoy life again