How does Diana of the Crossways explore an unhappy marriage?

In George Meredith’s Diana of the Crossways, the author explores the complexities of an unhappy marriage by focusing on the inner life and personal motives of his protagonist, Diana Warwick. Rather than centering the narrative on political scandal—despite the story being loosely inspired by the life of Caroline Norton—Meredith uses the novel to examine the psychological realities of "mismating" in marriage.12

As part of a series of studies on this theme, the novel highlights Meredith’s belief that women should be treated as the intellectual equals of men rather than as puppets. Diana is portrayed as a woman of spirit and intellect, and the narrative serves to demonstrate her right to be accepted as an individual. While the novel is noted for its wit and brilliant dialogue, it remains a serious exploration of the protagonist's struggle within a restrictive marital union.321