Memoirs of Emma Courtney

"Memoirs of Emma Courtney" by Mary Hays is a late 1700s novel that tells the story of Emma Courtney, a woman whose life is impacted by love, doing what is morally right, and the rules of society. The story starts with Emma thinking about her past, including losing her mother early in life and her father leaving. Her aunt raises her and shows her lots of love. As Emma gets older, she becomes smarter and more sensitive because of the books she reads. As a woman, she faces limits from society. The book looks at how she deals with what she wants versus what is expected of her, and how she grows as a person through love and figuring out what is right.