- 144 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
The Power of Sympathy
About This Book
The Power of Sympathy (1789) is a novel by American author William Hill Brown. Considered the first American novel, The Power of Sympathy is a work of sentimental fiction which explores the lessons of the Enlightenment on the virtues of rational thought. A story of forbidden romance, seduction, and incest, Brown's novel is based on the real-life scandal of Perez Morton and Fanny Apthorp, a New England brother- and sister-in-law who struck up an affair that ended in suicide and infamy. Inspired by their tragedy, and hoping to write a novel which captured the need for rational education in the newly formed United States of America, Brown wrote and published The Power of Sympathy anonymously in Boston. The novel, narrated in a series of letters, is the story of Thomas Harrington. He falls for the local beauty Harriot Fawcet, initially hoping to make her his mistress. But when she rejects him, his friend Jack Worthy suggests that he attempt to court and then propose to her, which is the honorable and lawful choice. Thomas' overly sentimental mind is persuaded by Jack's unflinching reason, and so he decides to pursue Harriot once more. This time, he is successful, and the two eventually become engaged, but their happiness soon fades when Mrs. Eliza Holmes, a family friend of the Harringtons, reveals the true nature of Harriot's identity. As the secrets of Mr. HarringtonāThomas' fatherāare revealed, the couple are forced to choose between the morals and laws of society and the passionate love they share. The Power of Sympathy is a moving work of tragedy and romance with a pointed message about the need for education in the recently founded United States. Despite borrowing from the British and European traditions of sentimental fiction and the epistolary novel, Brown's work is a distinctly American masterpiece worthy of our continued respect and attention. This edition of William Hill Brown's The Power of Sympathy is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Letter I. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter II. Worthy to Harrington
- Letter III. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter IV. Miss Harriot Fawcet to Miss Myra Harrington
- Letter V. Miss Myra Harrington to Mrs. Holmes
- Letter VI. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter VII. Mrs. Holmes to Miss Harrington
- Letter VIII. Worthy to Harrington
- Letter IX. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter X. Worthy to Myra
- Letter XI. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XII. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XIII. Worthy to Myra
- Letter XIV. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XV. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XVI. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XVII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XVIII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XIX. Harrington to Harriot
- Letter XX. Harrington to Harriot
- Letter XXI. Harriot to Myra
- Letter XXII. Harriot to Myra
- Letter XXIII. Harriot to Myra
- Letter XXIV. Harriot to Myra
- Letter XXV. Myra to Harriot
- Letter XXVI. Myra to Mrs. Holmes
- Letter XXVII. Worthy to Myra
- Letter XXVIII. Worthy to Myra
- Letter XXIX. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XXX. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XXXI. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XXXII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XXXIII. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XXXIV. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XXXV. Myra to Mrs. Holmes
- Letter XXXVI. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XXXVII. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XXXVIII. Myra to Mrs. Holmes
- Letter XXXIX. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XL. Mrs. Holmes to Myra
- Letter XLI. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XLII. The Hon. Mr. Harrington to the Rev. Mr. Holmes
- Letter XLIII. The Hon. Mr. Harrington to the Rev. Mr. Holmes
- Letter XLIV. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XLV. Myra to Mrs. Holmes
- Letter XLVI. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XLVII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XLVIII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter XLIX. The Hon. Mr. Harrington to the Rev. Mr. Holmes
- Letter L. Harriot to Harrington
- Letter LI. Myra to Mrs. Holmes
- Letter LII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LIII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LIV. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LV. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LVI. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LVII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LVIII. Worthy to Harrington
- Letter LIX. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LX. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LXI. Worthy to Harrington
- Letter LXII. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LXIII. Worthy to Mrs. Holmes
- Letter LXIV. Harrington to Worthy
- Letter LXV. Worthy to Mrs. Holmes
- A Note About the Author
- A Note from the Publisher