The Coquette

The Coquette is a seductive narrative based on a true story. The book is composed of letters written between a woman, Eliza Wharton, and her friends Miss Lucy Freeman and Miss Julia Granby. It also shows letters written by the men in Eliza's life, Rev. Mr. Boyer and Mr. Sanford. The story begins with Eliza losing her fiancee (a much older man) to death after caring for him for a great length of time. She then meets two men: said Rev. Mr. Boyer and Mr. Sanford. Eliza immediately takes a liking to both men and they to her. After awhile Eliza is stuck between two choices: the safe and ever faithful but boring Mr. Boyer OR the dangerous and ever unfaithful but passionate Mr. Sanford. After refusing Mr. Boyer's proposals of moving forward in their relationship he finds Eliza in the garden with Mr. Sanford. Despite the many suggestions from her friends to choose Mr. Boyer and stay away from Mr. Sanford, she cannot resist. Later, Eliza is left ALONE while both men marry other women. She is quite depressed until she runs into Mr. Sanford once more!!! As we later learn she becomes pregnant with the scoundrel's child and leaves her mother to go to a bar/tavern. At the end of the book we learn that Eliza dies shortly after giving birth to her child. What a tragedy!!!

Let's get straight to the point: Eliza Wharton is that friend you might have (Lord knows everyone has one or two of them!) that not matter how much you try to help or give her advice about her relationship problems she refuses to listen! But what can we really say to our close friends about the relationship choices that they make? They will usually do what they want anyone, no matter how great your advice might be! On page 27, Lucy, Eliza's close friend writes: "Let me advise you then, in conducting this affair; an affair, big, perhaps, with your future fate, to lay aside those coquettish airs which you sometimes put on; and remember that you are not dealing with a fop, who will take advantage of every concession; but with a man of sense and honor, who will properly estimate your condescension, and frankness." Clearly Lucy is suggesting that Mr. Boyer would be the best choice for Eliza. However, he is dull and unattractive. Eliza still finds it great fun to flirt with him though she has no intention of settling with any one man until she is good and ready. This is how it was in the case of Eliza.

Eliza really had a distorted image of marriage in her head, especially after taking care of Mr. Haly, her sick fiancee, for so long. She says of it in a letter to Lucy: "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 in their own families? former acquaintances are neglected or forgotten. The tenderest ties between friends are weakened, or dissolved; and benevolence itself moves in a very limited sphere. It is the glory of the marriage state, she rejoined, to refine, by circumscribing our enjoyments (24)." Eliza wanted independence and some kind of say in how she would spend her future years. Unfortunately some of the choices that she made led to bigger consequences that would change, or in this case, end any kind of future for her at all.

I think that another big, big, BIG, issue in Eliza's life was the society in which she lived in. Women were not independent. Eliza was revolutionary in her ideas that she could be independent and yet live with an unblemished reputation...Newsflash!!! I don't think so!!! I think that I will go to the library to try and find a book on the role of women in society during this time period. This paragraph will be longer...

In class on Thursday we discussed who we would have chosen if we had been in Eliza's shoes. Would we rather have Mr. Boyer or Mr. Sanford? Not surprisingly most of the class said they would choose Mr. Sanford over Mr. Boyer. Among the reasons why they would choose Mr. Sanford were: they wouldn't be bored, there was passion, and he was attractive. I, however, would choose Mr. Boyer. I'm a very sensitive person when it comes to relationships, and while passion is a must in any healthy relationship, faithfulness is most important. It has a lot to do with respect. I know that I could never be with someone who could not remain faithful to me. I have seen many of my friends and even my friends' parents have relationships full of passion. However, they remain unhappy. I believe that you should not depend on others for your own happiness. In a letter from Eliza's mother, she states: "In whatever situation we are placed, our greater or less degree of happiness must be derived from ourselves. Happiness is in a great measure the result of our own dispositions and actions. Let us conduct uprightly and justly; with propriety and steadiness; not servilely cringing for favor, nor arrogantly claiming more attention and respect than our due; let us bear with fortitude the providential, and unavoidable evils of life, and we shall spend our days with respectability and contentment, at least (41)." I don't believe that passion equals happiness. It is my opinion that over time you would be able to find passion in your marriage. I have read many books and articles on the art of arranged marriages. Almost all of these people have never met before their weddings! And many of them do find happiness and passion within their marriage. Eliza had even more independence in that she could CHOOSE who she wanted to marry. I suppose that this was the most dangerous aspect of independence that she possessed.

We must also hit on this key idea that Eliza had a certain amount of freedom...she just didn't know what to do with it! Like Diaz and his men, Eliza and Mr. Sanford are both like conquistadors. They are both extremely selfish and use all the weapons in their arsenal: charm, manipulation, and the ability to know the other opponent, among others, to get what they want. Selfishness is were this is all centered. All that matters is the pleasure that each get from each other. I see them both as using each other for the high that they get for the conquest or the pursuit. There does not seem to be any kind of sacrifice for either one of them. Unless you count the sacrifices of pain that Eliza's mother and friends felt after they learned that she was a "fallen woman."

We also discussed in class how dangerous this need for conquest really can be. It is insatiable because the fun is all in the getting to the pleasure. Once it is obtained the fun is over and there is a great NEED and WANT for more. When is it enough?! Eliza's situation runs parallel to the early American government. Who will govern this nation? What appetites does it thrive on? Who will save us if these appetites take over? Can we trust others if we are a nation that needs saving? All of these questions that were asked in class can be connected to Eliza and her situation in some way. We have moved away from the faith theme, though it may linger in the background, and are now dominated (haha), by the theme of freedom, of conquering, and the never ending need for more and more and more and more and more...