The coquette hannah webster foster. Women and Society Theme in The Coquette 2023-01-05
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The Coquette, written by Hannah Webster Foster in 1797, is a novel that tells the story of a young woman named Eliza Wharton who is caught in a love triangle between two men: Major Peter Sanford, a wealthy and well-respected military officer, and Reverend Boyer, a poor but honest and virtuous man. The novel follows Eliza as she navigates the expectations and societal pressures of the time, ultimately leading to her downfall.
Foster's novel is considered a classic of American literature and is notable for its portrayal of the complex and often conflicting roles that women played in early American society. At the time the novel was written, women were expected to be virtuous and chaste, and those who were not were often shunned or ostracized. Eliza's character embodies this conflict, as she is torn between her desire for love and her desire to conform to societal expectations.
Throughout the novel, Eliza struggles with her feelings for both Major Sanford and Reverend Boyer. Major Sanford is a charming and charismatic man, and Eliza is initially drawn to him because of his wealth and status. However, she also recognizes that he is not the right man for her, as he is not as virtuous or moral as Reverend Boyer. Despite this, Eliza is unable to resist Major Sanford's advances and ultimately succumbs to his charms, leading to her downfall.
Foster's portrayal of Eliza's internal conflict is a nuanced and realistic depiction of the difficulties faced by women in early American society. The novel is a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women and the limited options available to them. Through Eliza's character, Foster illustrates the consequences of straying from the expected path and the difficulties faced by women who tried to assert their independence and agency.
Overall, The Coquette is a thought-provoking and poignant novel that explores the complexities of love, virtue, and societal expectations. Its portrayal of Eliza's struggles and ultimate downfall is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by women in early American society and the importance of standing up for oneself and making one's own choices.
The Coquette
I rave, and then reflect; I reflect, and then rave. It is pleasure, pleasure, my dear Lucy, on leaving my paternal roof. Social, domestic, and connubial joys were fondly anticipated, and friends and fortune seemed ready to crown every wish; yet, animated by still brighter hopes, he cheerfully bade them all adieu. I have not yet introduced the favorite subject of my heart. Our days of childhood were spent together in the same pursuits, in the same amusements.
Multiple articles capturing the news of her death appeared in newspapers and magazines shortly after her death. This is a characteristic of not just the men of 18th century America, but is something that is very common even today. These, however, were not many; for Major Sanford assiduously precluded the possibility of my being much engaged by any one else. O my mother, if you knew what the state of my mind is, and has been for months past, you would surely compassionate my case. How natural, and how easy the transition from one stage of life to another! I retired directly after supper. But these are fading honors, unsatisfactory enjoyments, incapable of gratifying those immortal principles of reason and religion which have been implanted in your mind by Nature, assiduously cultivated by the best of parents, and exerted, I trust, by yourself. Richman's sentiments as truly Roman, and, what was more, they said, truly republican.
Reading letters addressed to others has a feeling akin to eavesdropping; it exposes thoughts otherwise not publicly known. I am in no danger, however, of becoming an enthusiastic devotee. I found the story enjoyable, yet a bit sad for Eliza at the way life was back then for women and how they were treated. Written as a series of letters--between the heroine and her friends and lovers--it describes her long, tortuous courtship by two men, neither of whom perfectly suits her. An enthusiastic admirer of scenes like these, I had rambled some way from the company, when I was followed by Mrs. The rakish Major Sanford, or the virtuous Mr.
Whether it will surrender to the assailants or not I am unable at present to determine. Naturally cheerful, volatile, and unreflecting, the opposite disposition I have found to contain sources of enjoyment which I was before unconscious of possessing. I forgot to sit down again, but stood transfixed by the pangs of disappointment. An hour after, a phaeton stopped at the door, from which my fair one alighted, and was handed into the house by Major Sanford, who immediately took leave. Her fame has often reached me; but, as the Queen of Sheba said to Solomon, the half was not told me.
The Coquette by Hannah Webster Foster Plot Summary
Boyer, both of whom she shows relatively equal favor towards. I am at present, and know not but I ever shall be, too volatile for a confinement to domestic avocations and sedentary pleasures. Women were considered to be sensitive, weak, passive and docile beings who more or less belonged within the households. The respectable circle of acquaintances with which I am honored here has rendered my visits very frequent and numerous. Then should I lie down and be at rest. Your kind endeavors to promote my happiness have been repaid by the inexcusable folly of sacrificing it. Why should government, which involves the peace and order of the society of which we are a part, be wholly excluded from our observation? At the beginning of the novel she has just been released from an unwanted marriage by the death of her betrothed, the Rev.
Well, Charles, the show is over, as we Yankees say, and the girl is my own; that is, if I will have her. We think ourselves interested in the welfare and prosperity of our country; and, consequently, claim the right of inquiring into those affairs which may conduce to or interfere with the common weal. But I fancy this young lady is a coquette; and if so, I shall avenge my sex by retaliating the mischiefs she meditates against us. We think ourselves interested in the welfare and prosperity of our country; and, consequently, claim the right of inquiring into those affairs, which may conduce to, or interfere with the common weal. My name was pronounced with an emphasis, and I was received with the most flattering tokens of respect. At length she recovered herself, in a degree, and desired me to sit down. She is briefly mentioned in Major Sanford's letters.
Haly, whom she attended during the whole of his last illness; which confinement had eventually increased her desire of indulging her natural disposition for gayety. I was surprised, on my entrance, to find Mr. If she has any idea of a connection with you, why does she continue to associate with another, especially with one of so opposite a description? Too large a portion of your time is devoted to the adorning of your person. That veil is now removed. Wharton has brought back several scraps of her writing, containing miscellaneous reflections on her situation, the death of her babe, and the absence of her friends. When do you return to embellish our society here? In short, I am debarred from every kind of happiness.
Major Sanford took his leave as General Richman appeared at the door. But I shall not set up for a censor. The entertainment was alluring, and I consented. Sumner proposed that we should visit the sad spot which contains the remains of our once amiable friend. After he was gone, Mrs. That, however, did not restrain, but rather accelerated, my vivacity and inquisitiveness on the subject; for I wished to know whether it would produce any real effect upon him or not. Things could go wildly wrong, but for now, I have things under control.
This finished the matter, it seems. Since that seems to be the case, they do not want to be associated with the domestic realm or remain confined within their households. Haly had depressed my spirits, and palled every enjoyment of life. I must write to you the impulses of my mind, or I must not write at all. I mention your foibles, not to reproach you with them, but that you may consider their nature and effects, and renounce them.
She read for some time, when it suddenly dropped upon the floor. Another book about the game of love that is describing the morals of the time in relation to marriage and the great dangers of erotic passions that mathematically accurately bring destruction. Do you know, Charles, that I have commenced lover? The situation is delightful—the visiting parties perfectly agreeable. However, I did think the epistolary nature of the novel was interesting. She must consider a little further, and likewise consult her mother. Intercede with my mother to take it under her protection; and transfer to it all her affection for me; to train it up in the ways of piety and virtue, that it may compensate her for the afflictions which I have occasioned! It can be argued that by writing this particular novel, the writer attempted to make the readers conscious of the kind of world that they were living in and the various forms of inequalities that characterized it. You must forgive me, my friend, for I am a little vexed and alarmed on your-account.
