Batu's inspirational story dramatizes how tragic and explosive events transform her from being self-centered to self-empowered. Batu fearlessly speaks out against injustice in a male dominated society. Unwilling to subject herself to a barbaric ritual, she insults the High Priest and creates a persistent enemy throughout the story. Selfishly, she marries the Story Teller to continue her quest for knowledge. The marriage turns into a test of wills, until she is transformed by falling in love with her husband. The death of her husband and her baby causes Batu to lose worth, as defined by law, and the council decrees she is to be expelled from the village to face certain death. With the Healer's help, she gains a deeper understanding of life as she faces tragedies, final expulsion and death courageously and heroically.