In writing, The Coquette, Hannah Foster encouraged women to join together in a revolution against society. Foster believed that, with the gender-biased value-system inherent in early American culture, no woman could freely pursue the life that she desired. Her book made people, particularly women, aware of this oppression that they had faced for so many years. It illuminates the social and moral handcuffs that bound women, in hopes of creating awareness regarding the way that they were treated.

Eliza Wharton is labeled a coquette because of the social and moral characteristics which she is known for: independence, coyness, flirtatiousness, etc., and were features heavily frowned upon by society. She indulged in the pleasures, which an unmarried woman could enjoy, and was known for her social graces. Early in the book, however, she is confronted with a dilemma when she becomes involved with two men of opposite lifestyles and values. Under normal circumstances, with her coquettish personality, she would have preferred to not marry either of them, however, the society which surrounds h

er, forces her to go against her will and pursue what would be an unhappy marriage. This, obviously, is not what Eliza wanted or needed to do with her life, although her peers suggested otherwise. It is then, that Eliza begins to compromise her free will for the pressures which society places on her, and Hannah Foster explores and criticizes the treatment of women, pointing out many things which are wrong with the society that they lived in.

From reading The Coquette, it is obvious that Hannah Foster took an active role in advocating the rights of women in society. Her novel helped to open the eyes of many women during that era as to the oppression that was being put upon them, and showed them social and moral boundaries, which inhibited them from reaching goals, that they otherwise could have attained. It was a revolutionary novel that it helped encourage a women to further their rights in society in order to maintain their respect, honor, and pride.

The independence, which Eliza possessed early in the book, was a great source of strength for her. This, unfortunately, this was not a favorable trait in women at the time, and it is because of this that she does not receive the support of others nor does she know how to act when confronted with a dilemma familiar to a society that does not support independent women. Without the support of others, her strength crumbles. The expectation of her friends, family, and lovers, was, for her to act in a manner, which was counter-intuitive, and, not knowing what to do, she rapidly deteriorates in both mental and physical health. From this, Hannah Foster implies that, working independently, against the stiff grain of such a strong, masculine culture, women were without hope for any change in tradition. In order for a successful movement to take place, support of others with similar ideals was necessary. The idea of bringing independent spirits together to support one another is an idea that is briefly touched upon when; Julia Granby (the only free-spirit which is maintained throughout the book) visits Eliza, in her time of despair. Wharton says this of Granby’s visit, “My Julia Granby has arrived. She is all that I once was; easy, sprightly, debonair. Already she has done much towards relieving my mind.” (Pg. 108) Judging from this first encounter, with Wharton, Granby seems to have quickly inspired some hope in the mind of Eli

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