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Letter 9
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Coquette, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Women and Society
Sex and Virtue
Marriage and Social Mobility
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
Eliza again writes Lucy and tells her that Major Sanford was waiting for her in the parlor when she went downstairs after closing her last letter. They engaged in pleasant conversation, and Sanford told her that he was considering buying an estate in Eliza’s native town. Sanford soon left, and Eliza dressed for an engagement with Mrs. Richman to dine at Mr. Laurence’s, a local gentleman of “fortune and fashion.” His daughter, Miss Laurence, is heiress to their large estate, and while she is lovely, Eliza admits that her expressions “indicates not much soul.”
Sanford only want to buy a house in Eliza’s hometown of Hartford, CT so he can continue to pursue her after she leaves New Haven, which shows just how far Sanford will go to seduce a conquest. Eliza’s mention of Miss Laurence is ironic, as, unbeknownst to her, Sanford has been in talks with Mr. Laurence to secure Miss Laurence’s hand in marriage.
Themes
