Browning was committed to crafting stories from a woman's viewpoint, and her protagonist in Aurora Leigh shares this passion. The narrative emphasizes a woman's right to pursue a career as an artist. Aurora declines Romney's marriage proposal because he sees her only as an assistant in his endeavors, leaving no room for her personal aspirations. Romney also belittles Aurora's artistic pursuits as trivial compared to his, so Browning ensures that Romney's socialist projects fail while Aurora flourishes as a writer and communicator. This suggests to readers that a poet might wield more influence over societal change than philanthropic reformers.

Aurora's success as a poet is central to the story's message. During the Victorian era, Browning and other female authors confronted gender bias from critics and sought to be judged on their literary talent rather than their gender. They did not want their works disregarded simply because they were penned by women. To address this challenge, many female writers adopted male pseudonyms, such as Mary Ann Evans, who wrote as George Eliot. However, Browning chose not to take this route. Instead, she insisted through her own resolve and through the character of Aurora Leigh that women could and should be acknowledged and succeed as poets.

In the mid-1700s, a heated literary debate centered on the ideal themes for poetry. At the heart of this discussion was how poetry should relate to current events. Some people championed poetry that mirrored contemporary times, while others, including the renowned critic and poet Matthew Arnold, contended that modern subjects were inappropriate for poetry. They argued that poetry should concentrate on lofty ideals and portrayals of pastoral beauty and love. Browning was a strong proponent of the idea that current issues were indeed fitting topics for poetry. Her renowned work, Aurora Leigh, illustrates this belief by tackling significant Victorian social concerns such as the "woman question," prostitution, poverty, and the value of socialist reform.

The central theme of Aurora Leigh is that fame and achievement are inadequate without the presence of love. The story unfolds as a journey for both Aurora and Romney to come to this understanding. Romney comes to realize that he cannot change the world by himself and that his efforts will be more successful if he first brings order to his own life, supported by love. Aurora learns that she, too, should have based her life on love, which would have enhanced her abilities as a poet. United by the assurance and encouragement that love provides, Aurora and Romney are prepared to embrace a promising and fruitful future together.

In Victorian society, great emphasis was placed on women's purity and virtue. Deviating from these expectations often resulted in severe criticism. Even the slightest hint of impropriety could trigger a scandal. Ironically, during this time, which celebrated the sanctity of marriage and home life, prostitution became a major social issue. One reason for this was the lack of respectable job opportunities for women. With a surplus of women in the population, many remained unmarried and without a way to support themselves. The jobs available often had such dreadful conditions that some women found prostitution more appealing than enduring the harsh realities of working in mines and factories.

Browning addresses this issue in Aurora Leigh through the viewpoints of Aurora and the characters Rose Bell and Marian Erle. Rose's story, briefly narrated by Marian, describes a charming girl without a mother who, unable to escape poverty, ultimately becomes a prostitute. This tragic story foreshadows Marian's later experiences. Despite her virtue, Marian falls victim to her circumstances. Although she does not resort to prostitution, she becomes an unwed mother—a situation that would have led to her being shunned in Victorian society. Browning seeks to expose the unfairness of such judgments. Consequently, Marian is depicted as exceptionally good and noble, intended to evoke readers' sympathy and promote a more compassionate and understanding view of women facing challenging situations.