User:Morgan.alston/sandbox
Henrietta by Charlotte Lennox (1758)[edit]
Henrietta is an 18th century novel by British/American author Charlotte Lennox. The first edition was published in 1758, and the second edition, which is most commonly referred to, was published in 1761. Henrietta’s story is broken up into 2 volumes and 5 individual books, and this is one of the first novels to be divided like this. Throughout the story, Lennox uses the main character, Henrietta, to describe several problems women faced, both with men and society in general in the 18th century. Henrietta struggles to figure out her role in society and through a series of events Henrietta finds herself overwhelmed with what society has to offer her.
Plot Summary[edit]
The novel follows a young girl names Henrietta through her journey in a new area. The story opens up to Henrietta in London, trying to find a seat on a coach. Once Henrietta gets situated she meets Mrs. Woodby, because she is another passenger on the bus. These two characters have conversation about many things and then Henrietta mentions that she is looking for a good place to stay for a while. Mrs. Woodby helps Henrietta find a place and sends her on her way, with no real direction. This gives Henrietta trouble, because once she gets off the bus she finds a woman and asks where Mrs. Egret lives. The lady, named Mrs. Eccles, welcomes Henrietta into her home since she does not know where Mrs. Egret lives. Mrs. Eccles is a milliner, and tries to set Henrietta up with several men, because sexuality is of her nature. Henrietta continues to have a problem with arranged marriages, and Mrs. Eccles kept pushing this idea on her, specifically with Mr. Damer. Once Henrietta is fed up with Mrs. Eccles she leaves and goes to Mrs. Cordwain. Despite Henrietta’s hopes for a better live with lady Cordwain, she runs into the same issues as she works for the lady. One day, Lady Meadows tells Henrietta that she has to convert to Catholicism or she will be put in a convent to learn the hard way. Lord B tells Henrietta that she only has to pretend to convert, but Henrietta refuses because that is not morally right. Henrietta decides to leave Mrs. Cordwain because she gets jealous, and goes to work for Mrs. Autumn. After a series of events with Mrs. Autumn, Henrietta runs away to France with Lady Belmour. In France Henrietta meets two men, Lord B and Mr. Freeman. Mr. Freeman tries to set Henrietta and Melvil up with each other. It is then revealed that Mr. Freeman is Henrietta’s brother. Despite her efforts, Henrietta ends up going to a convent in the end.
Character List[edit]
- Henrietta, the main character, is a young girl that is introduced to many things throughout her journey through Europe. An issue with identity discovery, is introduced in the very beginning of the story and carries through to the end. The reoccurring appearance of arranged marriage being brought upon Henrietta makes it hard for her to discover where she belongs. All of the suitors want her for her wealth or her name, but Henrietta wants to be independent. There are several events throughout the story where Lennox describes Henrietta’s development of her morals. For instance, the scene where Lord B suggests that Henrietta pretend to convert to please her aunt. Henrietta refuses because it goes against her values of honesty in life.
- Mrs. Woodby is introduced in the beginning of the story and she is one of the first main character Henrietta comes in contact with. Here Henrietta builds a strong connection with Mrs. Woodby that is reiterated throughout the story. This character is very dramatic and she makes her appearances known by the other characters. Also, Mrs. Woodby enjoys romance and indulges in amatory fiction novels. She plays an important role in Henrietta’s identity search throughout the novel.
- Mrs. Eccles is the woman that Henrietta lives with in the beginning of the story, after Mrs. Woodby gives her vague information about her friend. Mrs. Eccles is a milliner, who is someone that makes clothes, and she is very interested in her fashion. She wears clothes and accessories that depict her sexual availability, and whenever men walk into her store she gets very excited. Mrs. Eccles tries to force this lifestyle on Henrietta and she refuses.
Theme[edit]
The bildungsroman tradition is carried though the century with the help of this novel, because Henrietta is full of experiences a young woman has while learning about the world around her. Henrietta, the main character, spends a lot of time throughout the story observing her environment and learning women’s role in society and the role of money in this. Several times she is put in difficult situations where she has to choose between her morality or something that goes against what she believes in. She always chooses to stick with her morality than to lie or do something for money that is unethical. This shows how she is very aware of her principles which she develops as she gains more experiences in society.
Novel Structure[edit]
The structure of the novel is different from other novels of this century because of the way is is broken up. It consists of 2 different volumes, which comprise 5 different books and many chapters. Also, in the beginning of each chapter there are one or two sentence introductions explaining briefly what is happening in the chapter. Previously many novels in the 18th century were not split up into different sections like this.
Style of Novel[edit]
The style of the novel is one that stands out from other 18th century writings. Previously names like Fantomina and Beauplaisir were common character names, which are not real names for people. The character names in Henrietta, however, are actual names not words that mean figurative things. Also, the way the novel is chronological is different from other novels in the early 18th century. Early 18th century novels would jump from event to event with no real chronology. The style Henrietta was written in shows the change in style of writing through the 18th century.