The film centers on the romantic relationship between two women in 19th-century America, portraying their love with dignity and complexity. Despite societal constraints and a tragic element, the narrative affirms the profound worth and beauty of their connection, framing obstacles as external forces rather than inherent flaws in their queer identity.

The film critiques traditional heterosexual marriages and gender roles of the 19th century as unfulfilling and restrictive, while celebrating a passionate same-sex relationship as a source of profound emotional and sexual liberation for the women involved.

The film portrays the rigid, patriarchal, and often joyless societal norms of 19th-century rural America, which are deeply intertwined with a conservative interpretation of Christianity. These norms contribute to the characters' isolation, suffering, and the suppression of their true desires, particularly for women and their non-heteronormative love. The narrative implicitly critiques the oppressive aspects of this religious framework.