The novel explores the life of a young woman named Tristana, who is caught in a struggle between societal expectations and her desire for independence in 19th-century Spain. After the death of her parents, she becomes the ward of Don Lope, a man who takes advantage of her vulnerability. As Tristana matures, she yearns for personal freedom and intellectual growth, aspiring to break free from the constraints imposed by her guardian and society. Her journey is marked by a complex relationship with Don Lope and a romantic involvement with a young artist named Horacio, through which she grapples with issues of love, autonomy, and the pursuit of her own identity.
