"Backwater" is the second volume of Dorothy Richardson's groundbreaking "Pilgrimage" series, which explores the life of Miriam Henderson, a character inspired by the author's own experiences. As Miriam grapples with her teaching role at a girls' school in North London, she confronts the constraints of societal expectations surrounding marriage, religion, and happiness. Richardson's pioneering use of the "interior monologue" technique offers profound insights into the female experience, making her work a significant contribution to feminist literature.