The first two Necklace books take place in 1962 when there were expectations for women to behave a certain way. Susan, time-traveling into the past from 2014, is a liberated woman, and has quite a difficult time trying to accept those expectations. Which is why there is so much tension between her and James. James is from a poor, working class family, and expects Susan to behave and comport herself in a manner suited to the 1950s and 60s roles for women. Susan, meanwhile, has no intention of adapting to the role of a submissive and obedient partner.
Here is what was expected of a woman in this era of time. You can understand why James was so confused (and upset) when Susan refused to conform,
The life of the average woman in the 1950s and 60s was very different from that of today’s woman. This was the age of respectability and conformity. Women were expected to marry young and begin producing children. Very few women worked after getting married; they stayed at home to raise the children and keep house.
The man was considered the head of the household in all things; mortgages, legal documents, bank accounts. Only the family allowance was paid directly to the mother, but often, the man controlled all the money and purchases. Should a woman find herself in a loveless or violent marriage, she was trapped; she had no money of her own and no career.
It was unusual for women to go to university.. Most left school and went straight into some menial job until they married. Secondary schools – even grammar schools – prepared girls for this life: lessons were given in cookery, household management, darning, sewing and even how to iron an shirt properly. Girls were trained to look after their husband, their children and the house. All important decisions were made by men.
Women in the 1950s and 60s were expected to be submissive and obedient to their husbands (or even their boyfriends) and not argue or “cause a disruption.” Men “guided” women in any serious decisions, and for the most part, felt protective of the female sex, who were considered “weak.”
Thus, you can see how and why the sparks fly between James and Susan throughout not just the first two books of “The Necklace” series, which take place in 1962, but throughout their tempestuous relationship in the next four books. James is bossy with old-fashioned and traditional values. Susan is a liberated woman, stubborn and impetuous.