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Article: Subversive didacticism in Eliza Haywood's Betsy Thoughtless.(Critical Essay)
- Article from:
- Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900
- Article date:
- June 22, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Rice University. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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You are therefore to make your best of what is settled by law and custome, and not vainly imagine, that it will be changed for your sake.
Mark the seeming Paradox, My Dear, for your own instruction. (1)
"The Story" of Eliza Haywood, her shift from slyly subversive novels of amorous intrigue to market acceptable novels of female virtue and obedience, clouds most readings of The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless (1751). (2) Lady Trusty's patriarchal conduct-book advice to Betsy is often read literally as Haywood's new advice for her female audience. However. Haywood's audience consisted of both men and women, and Lady Trusty's bridal admonitions, the most ...