Juliet's love life is dim until she meets Romeo. It is when she starts pursuing this new love that her independence grows. It shows in aplenty of ways. The most common would be standing up to her parents and making a firm statement that she will not marry Paris. But there is also occasions we see her making independent choices. Some examples would be marrying Romeo, deciding to drink he potion, and to not trust her trustworthy Nurse. Because of love, Juliet knows exactly where she aspires to be; with Romeo, and there is nothing more independent than knowing what you want and fighting for it.

The multicultiral book I chose was Women of the Silk, which is a strong novel about independence and love. The story is baised in rural 1926 China. Pei is the main character who begins in a home were love in not mandatory. Pei starts off as a small dependent child who does not know love until her father sends her to the silk factory to work. The silk factory serves as a sancuary for most of the girls who come to work there. Many come to leave their arranged marriges, atrocious family, or to provide money. Pei is very shy and helpless until she starts building relationships with the girls at the house. Especically a girl named Lin, whom Pei bonds with and learns to lead a stable life. Most of the villagers don't approve of the women who work at the factory, because they don't conform to soicety. Instead of marrying and barring children, they are they are not marrying or having children, but they are making money. Lin brings Pei through many hardships and teaches her to be independent; like going on strike at work, vacationing, becoming celibate , and moving to Hong Kong. While many might think that Pei would have a substantial life at home where she could marry and have a good life, she is more strong and thinks for herself in the loving place of the Silk Factory.

As a child, Pei was deeply scared when her parents abandoned her and brought her to the silk factory. After that she never had any contact with them, but after years of seperation, Pei decides to bring Lin to met them. Her childhood past, is one of Pei's biggest fears and struggles, she thinks about it constinatly and has nightmares about them. Because Lin has shown Pei her family, Pei feels the need to return the favor.
Pei is talking about revolting agaisnt the factory CEO Chung, who has increased working hours, poor working conditions, and limited breaks. Pei has found her voice in the sister hood, and is ready to stand up. If she was married off, her voice would have been lost just like her mother before her.
After Lin dies, Pei struggles with moving on with her life. Pei's sisterhood with Lin lead to a life of self-reliance. It shows when Pei decides to move to Hong Kong. It takes some serious courage to move somewhere and start a new life. Through Lin's love, Pei found her independence.