Live And Let Live (1837)

Set in a small New England town, the novel follows Ellen, a young woman constrained by societal expectations and her strict aunt. Yearning for individuality, she rebels against the pressure to marry for wealth and instead pursues a relationship with Charles, who shares her desire for freedom. Their love faces societal prejudices, familial opposition, and financial struggles. Through Ellen's journey, Sedgwick critiques early 19th-century social norms, highlighting themes of personal freedom and the challenges women faced in asserting their values.