Margaret Drabble's selection of Arnold Bennett as a subject offers intriguing insights into her own approach to fiction. By choosing Bennett, known for his detailed portrayal of ordinary life, Drabble aligns herself with a narrative style that values the nuances of everyday experiences. Just as Bennett chronicled the intricacies of daily existence in the industrialized world, Drabble seems to embrace a similar appreciation for character-driven storytelling, suggesting her belief in the power of fiction to elevate commonplace events.

A recurring theme in Drabble’s novels is the notion of making the best of one’s circumstances. Her characters often navigate complex emotional and social landscapes, symbolizing the human capacity for resilience. This theme is a testament to Drabble's nuanced understanding of human nature, where the ability to adapt and find meaning in one's situation is depicted with depth and empathy.

Remarkably, certain elements of Drabble’s body of work possess a timeless quality, likely to ensure their endurance beyond the period in which they were crafted. Her exploration of universal themes such as personal growth, societal norms, and the intricacies of relationships resonates with readers across generations. By weaving these themes with rich character studies, Drabble creates narratives that transcend temporal limitations.

Drabble’s technique of focusing on a single day or episode bears the influence of literary predecessors like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce. By honing in on brief, yet significant moments, she mirrors their ability to convey the profound within the mundane. This method allows her to delve deeply into her characters' inner lives, revealing the layers of their personalities through seemingly ordinary events.

Over her writing career, Drabble’s portrayal of professional women and their conflicts evolves. Initially, her narratives might reflect the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated professional sphere, yet as her work progresses, Drabble’s perspective broadens, exploring themes of empowerment and change. This evolution signifies her responsiveness to societal shifts and the growing discourse on gender equality, highlighting her novels as reflections of both personal and societal transformations.