The Coquette

Hannah Foster’s The Coquette, or, The History of Eliza Wharton, was first published, anonymously, in 1797. The book was not attributed to Foster until 1856, more than a decade and a half after her death. The Coquette is the story of the seduction of a young socialite woman, Eliza Wharton, by the devious Major Peter Sanford. The Coquette is an epistolary novel: it is comprised of dozens of letters written by its main characters. This format also gives a multifaceted perspective of the events that unfold. When something major occurs, it is often described and analyzed from up to three points of view. 

Foster’s novel was a best-selling example of a seduction novel, a genre of sentimental literature that was very popular in post-revolution America. The vulnerability of women in such works is often thought to represent the dangers faced by the new nation. In addition, seduction novels are moralistic and instructive. Their tales are intended to guide young women by showing them the danger of straying from morality, virtue, and chastity. A key aspect of The Coquette is that Eliza allows herself to be seduced, despite the plethora of chaste, virtuous women in her life who serve as positive examples.