Three friends—Terry, Jeff, and Vandyck—venture into the deep hinterland of a tropical river on a scientific expedition. Guided by local legends of a mysterious region where only women and girl children live, they discover a hidden waterfall, climb the sheer cliff, and find a highly civilized country. Armed only with arrogance and naive assumptions about women, the three men explore the territory, where they are soon captured by the strong, calm, and intelligent inhabitants of Herland. Kept under guard in a comfortable fortress, they are taught the local language and history while being systematically observed.
Over many months, the men learn the astonishing history of Herland. Two thousand years ago, isolated by a volcanic cataclysm, the original society lost its men in war and slave revolts, leaving only a group of women and girls. Through parthenogenesis, a miraculous virgin birth, a new race was founded, growing through centuries of peace, cooperation, and rigorous eugenics into a flourishing civilization free of war, disease, and poverty. The women eliminated unnecessary animals, perfected agriculture, and placed child-rearing at the center of their national culture.
As the men grow accustomed to Herland, their reactions vary. Jeff becomes a devoted admirer of the society, Vandyck studies it with scientific curiosity, and Terry remains rebellious and bitter, clinging to his belief in male dominance. The visitors eventually marry three local women, but cultural clashes arise. While Jeff and Vandyck achieve harmonious partnerships based on deep friendship and respect, Terry attempts to master his wife by force and is soundly defeated.
Ultimately, the leaders of Herland decide that their country is not yet ready to open communications with the outside world, which they view as disease-ridden and violent. Terry is expelled and banned from returning, while Vandyck and his wife Ellador prepare to journey out into the wider world, carrying the hope of future understanding.
