The coquette analysis

The novel, written by William Hill Brown in 1789, is about the perils of giving in to sexual inducements and as well, the benefits of resistance to sexual temptations (Brown 3). The novel, therefore, was intended to promote the moral decency of women. For this reason, the letters used to tell this cautionary story are nothing but advice on upright relationships between women and men. Just the Brown's novel, Hannah Webster Foster's novel, “The Coquette”, is focused on womanly virtue. Therefore, this essay will argue for the position that popular seduction novels published in the early American republic serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of moral weakness. Holmes, serves to impart knowledge and wisdom mainly on moral matters and as well, conveys the information, which leads to a surprising twist of the story.

As earlier stated, Brown’s novel depicts the early American obsession with the women's role as custodians and representatives of the moral health of the country. It addresses sexual temptation by showing the disastrous effects that may arise for giving in to seduction and thus gives some ways that young American girls could ensure they avoid these disastrous effects. Harrington’s initial shot to seduce Harriot and marry her is first scolded by Worthy. Worthy vehemently denounces Harrington’s attempt as childish and labels it as one, which lacks reason and contemplation, thus ignorable. When she is found and returned safely, her lover is already dead. The third subplot story outlined portrays the destiny of Miss Whitman, a young woman whose perusing of sentiment drives her to dismiss a few sensible offers of marriage because no suitor could satisfy her sentimental perfect.

At the point when looked with turning into an unmarried woman, she turns out to be defenseless to enchantment, engages in extramarital relations, and ends up pregnant. Her destiny is sad. In the propelled phases of pregnancy, she takes home at a motel and kicks the bucket there not long after bringing forth a stillborn kid (Brown 66). The child falls into a profound discouragement and the little girl's wellbeing flops rapidly. Harrington and Harriot's last letters pass on a psychological complexity that underlines emotional crisis caused by a sentimental love that was rendered incestuous. Lastly, the closing message in Brown’s novel an unmistakable one: seduction not only destroys those involved but also in its reverberation leads to kids unknown fathers making incest a greater possibility.

The Power of Sympathy in these ways underlines the importance of virtues. On the same note, Foster's novel, “The Coquette”, also underlines the need for morality, especially for women. However, two potential suitors are attracted to her while still staying with the Richmans. One of them is a Reverent named John Boyer and the other is Major Pere Sanford. John Boyer, to the best extent, is a genuine one since he is attracted by the earnestness and intelligence of Eliza. On the other hand, Sanford is only drawn by Eliza’s charm and vivacity. This is seen clearly by John Boyer's letter to Selby, his friend, where he explains how Eliza has impressed him by his close attention in serious matters and her character.

Boyer. Mr. Boyer had already married another wife and could not marry Eliza at this point. Sanford too has married, but upon visiting Eliza, they began an engagement. She refuses to follow her friends’ advice. Boyer, who belongs to her class and is a clergyman. However, she decides to wait for the charming Sanford who has ill intentions. Therefore, her death at the end serves as a warning to young women on how to be rational and reasonable, rather than being guided by emotions, when choosing their marriage partners. The two novels are more instructive than subversive in my view in that they tried to teach people on being moral, adhering to virtues and acting reasonably. Although some critics may argue that in “The Coquette”, Eliza has not freedom or interdependence to choose her life because she is not aware if Sanford is cheating, she cannot ignore the fact that her friends and family had advised her but just chose to lose her morals.