SOURCE: "Privileging the Feme Covert: The Sociology of Sentimental Fiction," in Revolution and the Word: The Rise of the Novel in America, Oxford University Press, 1986, pp. 110-150.

In the following chapter from Revolution and the Word: The Rise of the Novel in America (1986), Davidson discusses the popularity of sentimental novels and the social issues upon which they comment—including marriage, sexuality, childbearing, and domesticity.

In the new Code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in...