Charlotte Temple

Charlotte Temple, first published in 1791, is an early American sentimental novel that tells the tragic story of a young English schoolgirl seduced by a dashing officer and abandoned in the colonies. Susanna Rowson’s tale of innocence betrayed resonated with readers for its emotional appeal and moral warnings. The novel highlights the dangers faced by women in a patriarchal society and became one of the most popular works in early American literature, influencing generations of readers with its poignant narrative.