Eliza As Depicted In John Foster's 'Etiquette'

Aisha Jimenez
The Coquette

Foster gives us insights on the type of person Sandford was and wants us to respond to Eliza’s death as her being a victim of society and a manipulative man. Was Eliza the victim of Sanford’s manipulation and lies? Eliza should have been more self-aware but was Sandford not in fact the immoral one? Does Foster blame Sanford for Eliza’s death for emotionally manipulating her? In Coquette, Eliza wishes to postpone marriage, establish friendships and eventually find someone who truly loves her. Foster paints Sanford’s picture very unfavorable, he has selfish intentions and only thinks of himself and having a fortune. Sandford eventually marries another woman for money but keeps leading Eliza on. Throughout the novel Sandford decides to seduce Eliza while never having any honorable intentions with her- so is he not at fault for even initiating a pursuit. Eliza as a woman during that time in society was very limited, her choice for freedom and independence ruined her reputation. Sandford was not held accountable to the same standards for partaking in the same actions Eliza found herself in. Men were not …show more content…
Major Sanford writes to Charles with great news that he has finally arrived to the outmost bounds; the full possession of Eliza, he’s finally slept with her. He admits to his friend that he should have given up his pursuit a long time ago. Sandford goes on to explain how distressed he is that Eliza is depressed and expresses that he needs to relieve of her of this. Sandford is low on income but if he needs to use the last of it he will use it on Eliza if he needs to. Sandford shows almost genuine care for Eliza but then mentions Julia’s suspicion of him and Eliza is beginning to annoy him. That this woman would be one would he could never attempt to seduce. His impure intentions show again even when his character attempts to show some moral