The Coquette

A detailed Summary of The Coquette

How Hannah Foster uses the Coquette to Identify Injustices Towards Women in Society in Support of a Woman's Social Revolution

In writing, The Coquette, Hannah Foster encouraged women to join together in a revolution against society. Foster believed that, with the gender-biased value-system inherent in early American culture, no woman could freely pursue the life that she desired. Her book made people, particularly women, aware of this oppression that they had faced for so many years. It illuminates the social and moral handcuffs that bound women, in hopes of creating awareness regarding the way that they were treated.

Eliza Wharton is labeled a coquette because of the social and moral characteristics which she is known for: independence, coyness, flirtatiousness, etc., and were features heavily frowned upon by society. She indulged in the pleasures, which an unmarried woman could enjoy, and was known for her social graces. Early in the book, however, she is confronted with a dilemma when she becomes involved with two men of opposite lifestyles and values. Under normal circumstances, with her coquettish personality, she would have preferred to not marry either of them, however, the society which surrounds her, f

The independence, which Eliza possessed early in the book, was a great source of strength for her. This, unfortunately, this was not a favorable trait in women at the time, and it is because of this that she does not receive the support of others nor does she know how to act when confronted with a dilemma familiar to a society that does not support independent women. Without the support of others, her strength crumbles. The expectation of her friends, family, and lovers, was, for her to act in a manner, which was counter-intuitive, and, not knowing what to do, she rapidly deteriorates in both mental and physical health. From this, Hannah Foster implies that, working independently, against the stiff grain of such a strong, masculine culture, women were without hope for any change in tradition. In order for a successful movement to take place, support of others with similar ideals was necessary. The idea of bringing independent spirits together to support one another i!

s an idea that is briefly touched upon when; Julia Granby (the only free-spirit which is maintained throughout the book) visits Eliza, in her time of despair. Wharton says this of Granby's visit, "My Julia Granby has arrived. She is all that I once was; easy, sprightly, debonair. Already she has done much towards relieving my mind." (Pg. 108) Judging from this first encounter, with Wharton, Granby seems to have quickly inspired some hope in the mind of Eliza; a person who possesses the same strong personality traits.

ed the honor and trust to do as she pleased without being punished by society, and that all women should be given respect for their judgment. The way that women are treated is derogatory to their true nature and honor, because they are never allowed to express any true feeling or passion that they have, and have been trained to suppress these feelings because of these unfair principles, which guide them. It continues, 'Let them despise, and forever banish the man who glories in the seduction of innocence and ruin of reputation'. Foster believed that there was a need to banish the type of man who 'glories in the seduction of innocence and ruin of reputation' from society. When Sumner says, 'let them despise and forever banish', she is talking about women rejecting the principles

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Approximate Word count = 1545
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels