The Power of Sympathy

Published in 1789, The Power Of Sympathy: or, The Triumph of Nature is a classic American novel by William Hill Brown. Written in epistolary form (meaning the story unfolds through a series of written letters), the tale follows an ill-fated relationship between two lovers and illustrates the dangers of giving in to passion. The Power of Sympathy is widely considered to be the first American novel, and it was originally sold for a price of nine shillings. In order to divert Puritan concern about the novel's seedy topics of sex and incest, Brown promoted it as a morality tale.

In the book's preface, author William Hill Brown bemoans the lack of moral messages in literature for women. He claims that his novel not only teaches "the dangerous consequences of seduction," but also advocates for women's education. It states, "Intended to represent the specious causes, and to Expose the fatal CONSEQUENCES, of SEDUCTION; To inspire the Female Mind With a Principle of Self Complacency, and to Promote the Economy of Human Life.”

As the story opens in Boston, a young man named Thomas Harrington is conversing via letters with his friend Jack Worthy. Harrington confesses that he is passionately in love with a young woman named Harriet Fawcet. Harriet initially refused him because he only wanted her as a mistress, but Harrington's persistence prevailed. “Shall we not obey the dictates of nature, rather than confine ourselves to the forced, unnatural rules of—and—and shall the halcyon days of youth slip through our fingers unenjoyed?” he asks. Harriet eventually accepts him.



Because Harrington's father is opposed to the marriage, the pair have begun an affair and, despite the initial intentions, have plans to secretly marry, but Worthy advises Harrington to instead court Harriet properly and respectfully. Worthy also discusses with Harrington the subject of selecting a book for a teenage girl. He writes, "Our female libraries are overrun [with novels that are] not regulated on the chaste principles of true friendship, rational love, and connubial duty, [which] appear to me totally unfit to form the minds of women, of friends, or of wives.” He summarizes that it is better for a woman to never read at all than to read one of these novels as they may be corrupted.

Harriet then travels to Rhode Island to stay with Mrs. Martin, whose sister, Ophelia, recently had an affair with her husband. The result of the affair is a son who is "at once the son and nephew" of Mrs. Martin's husband. However, when the father of Mrs. Martin and Ophelia finds out about the situation and tries to force a confrontation, Ophelia kills herself by drinking poison.

Harriet writes of this to Myra Harrington (her lover's sister), and Myra responds by saying there is no more vile sin than "seducing a female from the path of honour.” Worthy echoes this sentiment when he writes to Harrington to tell of a girl named Fidelia that he met in the woods. She was mourning her fiancé, who drowned himself after Fidelia was "carried off by a ruffian."



As Harrington continues his plans to secretly marry Harriet, Myra gives him repeated, vague warnings that he should not follow through with his plans. Harrington decides to "give no heed" to her cautions. Harrington also happens upon a female slave with a scarred shoulder and gives her his blessing because she received the scar by taking a whipping that was meant for her child.

Finally the dark truth is revealed by Eliza Holmes, a family friend: Harriet is actually the half-sister of Harrington and Myra. Their father seduced a woman named Maria, who then killed herself when she bore a child out of wedlock. After this, Harriet was sent to be raised by Mrs. Francis, Eliza's mother-in-law, in order to maintain the Harrington family honor. “The picture you have exhibited of a ruined female is undoubtedly just, but that the rude spoiler has his share of remorse is equally so,” says Harrington's father about Maria. Though he might own up to his fault in that situation, he cannot face his son with the truth. He persuades a friend to deliver the news instead.

On the eve of their wedding, Harrington and Harriet are shocked and heartbroken to learn the truth of their relationship. Of course, they must call off their wedding now that they know it is incestuous, but their grief is too much. Harriet falls into consumption and dies, saying, "I sink, I die, when I reflect—when I find in my Harrington a brother—I am penetrated with inexpressible grief." Meanwhile, Harrington decides “to quit this life” and kills himself with a pistol after leaving a long suicide note next to a copy of Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werter. Worthy writes, "My heart presaged it," in mourning of his lost friend.