The Coquette

Some critics assert that Foster is using the seduction story format to critique the constraints of women’s lives in post-Revolutionary America, while others assert that her novel upholds the social mores that circumscribed these women’s lives. When you consider the novel’s plot, characterizations, and structure, where would you say the preponderance of the evidence lies?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt does not have a “correct” answer; it asks students to form a reasoned, evidence-based opinion about where the majority of the evidence lies. Although this question can certainly be answered in writing, it lends itself particularly well to either small-group or whole-class debate. If students answer in writing, you might also allow time for a discussion afterward. While students may focus the majority of their attention on plot and characterization, it may be helpful to offer them some insights regarding how to think about structure in this context before they begin work on the prompt.

Differentiation Suggestion: Literal thinkers and students with less developed theory of mind may struggle with the idea of ascribing motivations to Foster; you might stress to these students that the real task here is not to mind-read but to investigate the text, build a “case” from textual evidence on each side, and then judge which side contains stronger evidence.