The Coquette

Eliza Wharton has almost a bitter view on love. The first letters in this novel mention the passing of Mr. Haley, her husband. The bitterness seems to start after his passing. While some feel that she was moving fast by looking for a man within a month of her husband’s death, I think she was living in the times the story took place. A woman only seemed to be as important as the man she was married to. Women during this time were only allowed to go so far and do so much without being restrained it seemed like. Eliza also differed from the women in her time with her choices and actions when it came to the concept of marriage. She first meets Mr. Boyer whom is wealthy and well respected. She seemed to enjoy the attention from people and men when it came to her dating situation. This was her time of fame among her peers and she loved it. Even though she was an attention junkie, she still was not ready to settle down and commit. . “Marriage is the tomb of friendship. It appears to me a very selfish state. Why do people, in general, as soon as they are married, centre all their cares, their concerns, and pleasures ion their own families? Former acquaintances are neglected or forgotten. The tenderness ties between friends are weakened, or dissolved; and benevolence itself moves into a very limited sphere.” (Foster, 819). She approaches the topic of marriage as it is almost a joke. As the novel continues we learn of the secret relationship with Eliza and Major Stanford. Major Stanford was already married, but Eliza didn’t seem to care. This also shows her careless feelings towards marriage. All of Eliza’s friends suggested Mr. Boyer was the right man for her, but as usual Eliza goes against the grain. This leads to her continuing her relationship with Major Stanford and causes her to be the victim of her own downfall. She eventually hits rock bottom when she finds out she is pregnant. She finally realized that marriage was going to be the consumption of a woman’s freedom....