Self-Reliance in The Coquette

23)…” In general, self-reliance refers to the ability to remain true to oneself. Specifically, Eliza accomplishes self-reliance by not immediately accepting Reverend Boyer’s marriage proposal, as all of her peers believe i

. . .
However, after she refused to marry Reverend Boyer and he left her, Eliza’s cheerful disposition drastically descended to unbearable melancholy and depression. Self-reliance was something that women may have in some way wanted but, "where women have no social, political, or legal status except through their husbands, the deck is stacked irrevocably against the female player (Davidson 20). Throughout The Coquette, Major Sanford lives his life in a sexually corrupt and depraved manner. Although Ralph Waldo Emerson would applaud Eliza Wharton for accomplishing self-reliance as outlined in his radical essay “Self-Reliance,” her society punished both her and Major Sanford for it. Sanford loved Eliza, but he only married Nancy to obtain part of her family’s affluence. Eliza’s most intimate friend, Lucy Freeman, seems to live righteously as well. " While her friends and family impart upon her to marry him regardless because tradition dictates it, Eliza knows she would be unhappy. Once he realizes Eliza may never accept him as a husband, he destroys all connections to her. As a religious man adamantly practicing strong morals, he loves Eliza deeply. In the introduction to The Coquette Cathy Davidson raises the question "Is the sovereignty of the domain within the home really freedom if so limited (15)?" Freedom and self-reliance are inexorably intertwined; without the first the second is virtually impossible.

Common topics in this essay:
Reverend Boyer, Major Sanford, Freedom Eliza, Eliza Wharton, Moreover Eliza, Cathy Davidson, Foster's Coquette, Reverend Boyer's, Waldo Emersons, Concurrently Emerson, ralph waldo, reverend boyer, major sanford, eliza wharton, university press 1986, oxford university, emerson maintains, press 1986, university press, self-reliance essay, outside world, oxford university press, york oxford university,

Approximate Word count = 1518
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Already a member? Click here