--When we left off, Eliza wished simply for freedom. Obviously, freedom was an important issue in post-revolutionary America. In what ways is Eliza's desire for freedom parallel or not parallel to the national impulse to freedom in the revolution? How does this novel engage with women's place in politics, either explicitly or implicitly?
--At the end of this reading assignment, Eliza is alone, abandoned by both of her suitors. What do you make of their behavior and hers? What is Foster saying about love, marriage and what I called the "sexual contract" (in which women exchange their virtue for marriage)?
The intention of this novel is pretty obvious to me: it's meant to be a cautionary tale for women who might think of straying from their predetermined path. Boyer and Sanford both leave her in the end. Boyer was the more respectable choice, and when she chose Sanford over him, Boyer moved on. When Sanford too disappears, Eliza realizes she wanted to be with Boyer all along, but he has already found a wife. Sanford winds up seducing Eliza, she gets pregnant, and dies alone in childbirth.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is a very thinly veiled cautionary tale for women. It's lesson is to not to fool around as you please, lest you end up like Eliza--alone, depressed, and eventually dead. This trope is old and hasn't gone away; out of control women are made example of through these stories of seduction and temptation. Foster wasn't saying anything new or revolutionary, in my opinion, just rehashing old stereotypes about women who should value marriage above all else, and men who use women for their own pleasure. Eliza gives up her virtue, and thus is worthless for marriage.
I think what Foster is saying about marriage is that for a woman it's pretty much your only choice. If you want to be a free woman, test the waters, and make decisions based on your own desires, then you will end up alone and you will regret your life. Moreover, it seems that the "choice" of marriage isn't something required for a woman either. It's not about love or want, it's about getting married to someone. Personal desires and freedom don't seem to intertwine with what Foster believes to be marriage.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in the fact that Charles Deighton—through Sanford's communications—has remained a constant presence in the novel, yet is the only character without voice or personality. Despite the fact that all of Sanford's letters are addressed to this man, there is never a hint that Deighton is replying to them, as we never see any communication in return, nor a response from Sanford to indicating reciprocated correspondence. It is implied that Deighton shares some aspects of Sanford's lasciviousness—or, at the very least condones it—in Sanford's free and unabashed bragging about his conquests to his friend, but nothing is ever confirmed. Mr. Selby seemed at first to fulfill the same purpose as Deighton—that is, to serve as a justification for Eliza's suitors to express their sides of the story—but Selby becomes a true part of the narrative when he visits Eliza and warns Boyer of Eliza's flirtations. Deighton, however, retains his muteness and neither helps nor hinders any of the other characters.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I’ve decided to pretend that Deighton is Sanford’s imaginary friend. It’s not that farfetched and it amuses me.
I think that an 18th-century reader would have drawn parallels between Eliza's desire for freedom and the call for greater womens' rights from revolutionaries like Abigail Adams. And I think the way Foster presents Eliza as a character, as a "liberated" sort of woman that would have been offensive to the sensibilities of many people of the era, is a subtle way Foster conveys her own attitude towards greater womens' rights. The argument is that women who want power and freedom are suspect, because not only would they not be able to utilize that freedom to its fullest extent, they would end up only using that freedom for decadent purposes. But the thing is, historically, women who sought power and freedom were seen as an abject threat to the male-dominated world, and were thus demonized in culture and myth, leading to many mythological stories dominated by evil female figures. For that type of female character to go from evil and manipulative to merely wrong-headed in a pitiable sort of way is a halting but sure step forward in the field of womens' rights.
ReplyDeleteI thought that this novel's interaction with the whole concept of women in society was very interesting. It seems almost feministic to me at points, especially in the scene on page 830 in which Mrs. Richman defends women's rights to be knowledgeable on politics. While this is still a long way off from demanding the right to be allowed to be involved in the actual process, it is clear that Foster wanted to support the idea that women should be educated, not only in a literary sense, but also politically. Also, later in the text Eliza mentions that she believes women should be managing the Boston theaters. This little snipet, though perhaps trifling, seems to me to be an insight into the author's own views.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, the text is also fairly un-feministic. It is, after all, a classic example of a cautionary tale that warns young women against stepping outside of society bounds.
In this second set of letters Eliza reveals herself as a completely different person-- desperate, alone and shell-shocked by her failure to seize the heart of either of her suitors. Her free spirit and lack of firm devotion has betrayed her. One of the most telling lines, I think, is on page 872, where Eliza says, "What a dreadful thing it is to be afraid of one's own reflections, which ought to be a constant source of enjoyment."
ReplyDeleteDespite Eliza's more arrogant actions toward the beginning of the novel evoking images of a pouting Eliza looking at her own depressed reflection, this statement does say something profound about the relationship of women and virtue during Eliza's time. One past mistake could destroy any chance of a respectable future-- a grim fate for any headstrong you women such as Eliza who are looking to have a little more fun than others. Though this is a warning that modern women would likely scoff at, the book's premonitory tone would have had great significance for its contemporary readers. In a time of very stylized and detailed courtship rituals, a non-virtuous woman equals a non-virtuous wife and marriage. By violating those courtship rituals Eliza has determined her fate and finalized her status as a mistress to a "gentleman" rather than a wife. As Eliza reflects on her past decisions, she realizes that her future will be forever changed by them-- and not for the better.
I think their behavior is appropriate for the purpose of the story. I agree with Cat in that this is a cautionary tale to women that they should not stray from their set path. I am glad that Sanford follows through on his stated purpose from the beginning of the story. I think, given how the story ends, Foster is commenting on the courting practices of the time. Foster is saying that if you follow love and throw convention to the wind, you will end up alone and ashamed. As for the sexual contract, Eliza chose to ignore this, and she wound up unhappy, which goes right along with the idea that this is a cautionary tale for women with wandering eyes.
ReplyDelete-Ashley Elson
This is simply an example of the age old saying: 'you never know what you got til' it’s gone.' Eliza made the mistake of choosing Sanford, when Boyer was; in my opinion—I think most would agree, the better choice. To her surprise, Sanford takes off, then she longs for Boyer but it is too late. I believe Eliza’s role is the promiscuous woman of the 18th century. Ultimately not only does she end up alone, but dead on the birthing table because of her ‘relations’ with Sanford. In this century the value of a woman was based mainly on her purity, while men had far more freedom to do what they pleased and were still respected in the community. For a woman purity was all you had, and purity was rewarded with marriage. Because Eliza was impure, ultimately she ended up alone, depressed, and dead. These were the harsh yet dramatized realities of being an impure woman in the 18th century.
ReplyDeleteFoster leaves Eliza in the state the character perpetually feared alive: to be sad and alone. The letters constantly bring up Eliza's free spirit and her appeal to the gallantries of her suitors. Once Eliza's 'virtue is taken', the unmiraculous event of being pregnant out of wedlock, with the child of a married man (and to lose her child shortly after birth), is the bane foretold by Miss Wharton's "friends" who warned her against Major Sanford's unscrupulous tendencies.
ReplyDeleteIn Boyer's abandonment, bad timing, since he appeared right as Eliza was rejecting Sanford entirely, was the driving force behind his swift departure from Eliza's life. Her attempt to write him proved futile, as he happily moved on and writes back only as a friend.
Sanford would have helped Eliza out more if he would have abandoned his efforts of seducing her before succeeding. Essentially, he abandoned any proper course of action regarding Eliza after marrying his wife, his continued affair was the beginning of her end.
Ultimately,the tale is like one of those after school specials basic cable spewed out during the D.A.R.E. years, the "this could happen to you" approach of scaring young people into avoiding all of the tempting vices through exaggerated worst-case scenarios. The story also deters attempts by women to move up in social class through marriage, by punishing Eliza for not listening to her friends and avoiding marriage to the more modest Boyer.
We see these "love triangles" in relationships today. It seems that this is a perpetual dilemma in society when it comes to the art of relationships. That the man/woman who is a better pick, is the one that most people rather not give the time nor day to. In this situation, Eliza choses Sanford over Boyer, and doesn't realize the qualities in Boyer (who probably was indeed better for her) until it was too little, too late. As Boyer was married. One essential lesson to the ladies is such, to hold on to our virtues, because men (for the most part) don't view intimacy the way that a woman do. Furthermore, a woman is commonly looked down upon for being promiscuous and a man is overlooked in the same situation.
ReplyDeleteThe aforementioned text refers specifically to the explicit presence of the female political role. With the imposition of a lack of integrity, from the one J. Boyer, Eliza Wharton stands for a woman who could maintain a liberal social life, while also be considered important in political voice. A distinguishable line reads, "I regard to the particular subject of your's I shall be silent. Ideas of that kind are better coneyed, on my part, by words, than by the pen", thus shows the effeminate jutice taken over communication, and illustrates the cunning behind some of a woman's more passive-agressive state. As Mr. Boyer continues to show persistence, however, we are led to believe his hard head as a virtue. Despite the cataclysmic drama, we are left with a vital story. The story shows women and men at the time, affected by social faux paux.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that this is a cautionary tale towards women of a strong character. It is showing that the notion of freedom does not work and that marriage of convenience is best. Marriage is not about love but rather what is proper and suitable, this will insure happiness rather than death like poor Eliza. This is showing a strong warning to stay within social boundaries and straying does not work out to well. An impure women, like Eliza after Sanfords seduction and impregnation, has no hope in the future of marriage o an easy life. SHe has lost her standing of good grace and ends up dead. While I think this a harsh reality it gets the message across that nothing good can come to "free" women.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I understand Eliza's wish for independence and freedom after her marriage with Haly, I think it clouds her better judgment and ultimately ruins any chance she had at happiness. In our society today, Eliza's actions would be completely warranted, but that's not the case in her era. Women were expected to be virtuous and treasure marriage. Perhaps, due to her former failed marriage Eliza's, opinion if it is not a good one. She believes it is a selfish acts that destroys friendships.
ReplyDeleteThis is what leads to her abandonment. Eliza is so indecisive and enthralled with the idea of being "free" that she ruins her chances with Boyer, who gets tired of her games, and is left with Sanford who is simply not the marrying type and has intentions only to seduce Eliza.
In the end, Eliza realizes how selfish her freedom made her, and regrets losing Boyer. She has an affair with the now married Sandford and pays the ultimate price for her reckless decisions when she dies during childbirth. I think her death symbolizes Foster's opinion that women should be virtuous and honor marriage and the "sexual contract." Eliza's death is almost like a horror story, like when parents tell their children all these terrible stories of pregnancy and disease, attempting to persuade them to wait until marriage. I am torn about whether I agree with Foster because I understand Eliza's desires for independence, unfortunately she was just born in the wrong era.