The Modern Wife

The Modern Wife: Or The Virgin Her Own Rival, A Comedy is a play written by John Stevens and first published in 1744. The play tells the story of a young woman named Belinda who is courted by two men, Sir John Melvil and Mr. Lovemore. Belinda is torn between the two suitors, as she desires the security and wealth that Sir John can offer her, but is also drawn to the romantic and passionate Mr. Lovemore. Meanwhile, Belinda's mother is determined to marry her off to Sir John, regardless of her daughter's feelings.The play is a satire of the social norms and expectations of marriage in 18th century England, and explores themes of love, ambition, and societal pressure. Through the character of Belinda, Stevens challenges the idea that a woman's only value lies in her ability to secure a wealthy husband, and suggests that women should be allowed to choose their own partners based on love and compatibility.Overall, The Modern Wife: Or The Virgin Her Own Rival, A Comedy is a witty and entertaining play that offers a glimpse into the social and cultural attitudes of 18th century England.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.