To go along with Avis’ desire to break the traditional role of women, Bakhtin illustrates how readers can see themselves in characters of a novel, and this is another aspect of this genre that is so influential and special. He explains this, when he says, “We can experience these adventures, identify with these heroes; such novels almost become a substitute for our lives. Nothing of the sort is possible in the epic and other distanced genres” (32). Despite not wanting to engage in stereotypically womanly work, another thing at the core of Avis’ character is that she does not wish to marry. She explains this in detail, when she says, “I do not say, Heaven knows that I am better, or greater, or truer than other women, when I say it is quite right for other women to become wives, and not for me. I only say, if that is what a woman is made for, I am not like that: I am different. And God did it” (195). This, of course, goes against the expectation of women at that time, but if a woman reading it then, or even now, does not ever wish to marry, they would know that they are not alone. Not only that, but if they are religious like Avis seems to say she is here, they can also know that there is nothing inherently wrong with them because they do not want to get married. 

    Even if a woman can not resonate with Avis’ lack of interest in marriage, she is also relatable in other ways. When Coy is looking at Avis’ portrait of Ostrander, she tells her, “‘I may say that the greater part of Harmouth is familiar with the history and progress of this portrait’’ (107). And Avis says, ‘Oh! I suppose so … It is just so if a woman writes a poem, or does any thing less to be expected than making One-Two-Three-Four Cake’” (107). I believe so many women can see themselves in Avis here, because if any of us dare to step out of the box of what a woman is expected to do or act like, we are constantly questioned or feel like we have to prove ourselves. So in all these ways, I believe Avis is very contemporary for her time, but was and still is a good character for women to either look up to, or see themselves in.