Modernist literature, representing the wide body of work published largely between World War 1 and World War 2, frequently demonstrated that women played key roles in influencing social, political and economic agendas during that time. Both in America and in Europe, however, it seemed that this influence was not often exercised publicly through official position such as business leader or political position. It was demonstrated more subtly through events hosted at home. Hospitality became a key tool with which women could subtly influence the evolving world around them, all while maintaining the traditional and docile role that society predominantly still preferred. In addition to using hospitality in their homes as an opportunity to assert influence over the world around them, female characters in modernist literature also used hospitality to achieve personal satisfaction and to validate their sense of self-worth. Isolation and hopelessness were seen as prevalent themes throughout modernist literature, so while women were struggling to find their place in a changing public landscape, it was also quite clear that there was personal internal struggle as well. At one end of the spectrum, there are many examples of how women used their dinners, parties and other gatherings to feel seen in a world where they were otherwise invisible, however there are equally as many women who, even when routinely lavished with attention, used these events to showcase their own charm and personality in a socially acceptable manner.

Whatever emotion might have been behind the pursuit of personal validation, the female characters often demonstrated what the reader might perceive as attention-seeking behavior. These characteristics are seen in works with clear feminist leanings, as well as works with a more traditional male narration and bias. The perspective of the author, the reader, and the narrator determined whether this behavior was justified, logical or even warranted under the circumstances. In some instances, the reader is asked to feel sympathetic to these women. In other cases, the behavior may seem selfish and self-involved.

Much of this distinction was drawn based on the female character's interactions with her husband. Some of this behavior was motivated by a desire to maintain individuality, but often there were signs of desperation to remain visible as an aging women in a male-dominated world. This desperation could take the form of jealousy, anxiety, flirting or anger, but regardless, were important to how that particular woman delivered hospitality in her home and how it impacted the stories and character development in these modernist works.