Rare edition with unique illustrations and elegant classic cream paper. From the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, a domestic comedy that examines slavery, Protestant theology, and gender differences in early America.First published in 1859, Harriet Beecher Stowe's third novel is set in eighteenth-century Newport, Rhode Island, a community known for its engagement in both religious piety and the slave trade. Mary Scudder lives in a modest farmhouse with her widowed mother an their boarder, Samuel Hopkins, a famous Calvinist ...
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Rare edition with unique illustrations and elegant classic cream paper. From the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, a domestic comedy that examines slavery, Protestant theology, and gender differences in early America.First published in 1859, Harriet Beecher Stowe's third novel is set in eighteenth-century Newport, Rhode Island, a community known for its engagement in both religious piety and the slave trade. Mary Scudder lives in a modest farmhouse with her widowed mother an their boarder, Samuel Hopkins, a famous Calvinist theologian who preaches against slavery. Mary is in love with the passionate James Marvyn, but Mary is devout and James is a skeptic, and Mary's mother opposes the union. James goes to sea, and when he is reportedly drowned, Mary is persuaded to become engaged to Dr. Hopkins. With colorful characters, including many based on real figures, and a plot that hinges on romance, The Minister's Wooing combines comedy with regional history to show the convergence of daily life, slavery, and religion in post-Revolutionary New England. Includes vintage illustration!
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I had only known Harriet Beecher Stowe from Uncle Tom's Cabin. She is still the true abolitionist at heart, but her aim this time is to free people's minds and hearts from the hopelessness of Calvinism. It is, of course, written in a style that is quite archaic and foreign to readers of this century, but the story is beautiful. The description of life in Newport, Rhode Island in the 18th century is beguiling, to say the least. This book is a glimpse of everyday life, at what hour meals were eaten, when to retire for the night, preparations for a wedding, descriptions of clothing. These homely details are coupled with discussions of theology and the freedom of an individual to conduct a quest for God on his or her own terms. The love story in this case serves as a vehicle to unmask a rigid, unyielding theological system that takes the joy out of life. There is the interesting addition of Aaron Burr as the villain in a subplot. It takes a little effort to stick with the story at times, but seeing life in this place and in this time is rewarding.
