: Giselle is often viewed as the most liberal student who admires Professor Watson's subversive teaching style.
In the movie, (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a student at Wellesley College. The concept of a "paper" is a recurring motif used to show the tension between traditional expectations and progressive education:
: Academic analysis often highlights the relationship between the students, such as the bond between Giselle and Betty , who eventually seeks support from Giselle when her marriage fails.