The Father and Daughter with Dangers of Coquetry

The Father and Daughter was one of the most widely read novels of the early nineteenth century, captivating readers with its pathos and melodrama. It tells the story of Agnes Fitzhenry, whose seduction by the libertine Clifford causes her father to descend into madness. Rooted in the social conditions of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Britain, the novel is both an affecting narrative and a compelling social commentary. Opie's first novel, Dangers of Coquetry (1790), also addresses issues of female sexuality and the social construction of gender. It is the story of a young woman who, while possessing many virtues, is given to coquetry. She attracts the attention of a sternly moral gentleman who dislikes coquettes, and mutual love ensues. This Broadview edition includes a careful selection of contextual documents, such as Opie's letters, dramatic adaptations, and texts on coquetry, chastity, and the treatment of insanity.