The Reform'd Coquet

The Reform'd Coquet, alternately titled The Memoirs of Amoranda, is a novella, about 70 pages long, written by Mary Davys and published in 1724. It is an important work in helping to establish the form of the novel, as dramas were the dominant form of literature at the time. According to feminist critic and anthologist Paula R. Backscheider, The Reform'd Coquet "shows the influence of Restoration and eighteenth-century marriage comedies; It was immediately popular and went through seven editions by 1760." [1]

Plot summary

Amoranda's father was primarily interested in "whoring and drinking" and her mother was a "Lady clandestinely". Her father's brother had made a fortune as a merchant and repurchased the family's estate, which he gave to Amoranda's father. When they die, her uncle is made her guardian. Because he is engaged in his business, he sends an elderly man, Formatter, to be a mentor.

The years had given her much appeal and grace, and she was greatly desired "for ten Parishes round." Lord Lofty was chief among her admirers, and while he was waiting to visit her one morning, he found a letter on the ground, written by a woman and directed to Amoranda, warning her that Lofty "carries nothing but Ruin to our whole sex." He proceeded to put the letter in his pocket and did not mention it to Amoranda. Amoranda later realised that Lofty had stolen her letter, but she remained mute on the matter. The arrival of the letter's author, Altemira, disguised as a young man, causes his deeds to be revealed, and Amoranda successfully schemes to make Lord Lofty marry him.

Later, Amoranda's childhood friend, Arentia, with her friend Berintha, come to visit. They are suspicious of Formator, and Formator is suspicious of Berintha actually being a man. Nonetheless, Amoranda spends a good deal of time with them. After a few days, they desire to go on a boat trip down the river with her. Amoranda goes with them against Formator's advice, and Berintha reveals himself to be Biranthus, a man. Biranthus, aided by his barge-men, attempt to kidnap her, and he runs ashore with her and Arentia. Arentia gets bitten by an adder, or venomous snake, and dies. A man who names himself as Alanthus shows up on horseback, and Amoranda pleads for his help. After Biranthus attempts to shoot Alanthus with a pistol, one of Alanthus's men kills him with his sword. Meanwhile, barge-men friendly to Amoranda have retaken her boat and they return to her home.

Eventually, Amoranda's stables catch fire in the night and Formator hastily runs to her bedroom. In doing so, he forgets to put on his beard, and when Amoranda looks at him she sees Alanthus. He hands her a letter from her uncle stating that Alanthus, a marquis, is the man that he has chosen for her to marry if they liked one another. Shortly thereafter, Lady Betty and Amoranda's uncle both showed up and they were married that afternoon; a week later they all went to London.

References

  1. ↑ Backsheider, Paula R. and John J. Richetti (1996). Popular Fiction by Women 1660–1730. New York City: Oxford University Press.

Editions

Further reading

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