American History

The book Unwise Passions by Alan Pell Crawford depicts the true story of Nancy Randolph, a member of an aristocrat family, belonging to Virginia in the United States of America. In course of the narration of Nancys life, the book focuses on the various scandals that brought misery and suffering to Nancy. Leading her life in a period when various changes were taking place in America in the political and economic field, Nancys experiences reflected the changing scenario in her country. By presenting the influence of the changes in the American society during the eighteenth century on aristocracy in Virginia, the various experiences of Nancy Randolph illuminate the larger political, economical, and social issues facing both Virginia and the new United States.

Political Issues
    As Nancy Randolph was born and brought up in a wealthy aristocrat family, she led a comfortable life during the period of her childhood and adolescence. The death of her mother and the consequent remarriage of her father forced Nancy to leave her fathers house and stay with her older sister, Judith, who was married to one of her cousins, Richard Randolph. At the age of eighteenth, Nancys life took an ugly turn as rumors about her pregnancy begin to surface. Richard Randolph was thought to be the father of Nancys child. People also accused Richard of murdering Nancys child upon its birth and throwing the dead body in a heap of trash. Although these rumors were proved to be wrong in the court of law, this scandal brought drastic changes in Nancys social status. The political scenario in the United States during the eighteenth century was changing considerably and this is evident from the vulnerability of Nancy and Richard, members of aristocracy. The hold of aristocracy on the American society was loosening as the nation was advancing towards the implementation of a democratic form of government. In these changed political circumstances, Richard was imprisoned on the charge of murdering Nancys child. People dared to question the conduct of Richard Randolph even though he belonged to an aristocrat family. From almost a century, the Randolphs had made their own rules and carried on with what ordinary folks deemed astonishing license.But now that one of these haughty princelings had been called to answer for his conduct, he needed Henry to save him. (Crawford 17). Nancy belonged to one of the wealthy and illustrious families of the period but still she could not be immune from the criticism of the society regarding her immoral relationship with Richard. The scandal and the consequent trial of Richard bring forth the decline of aristocracy and rise of the power of common people in a situation which points towards the impending advent of democracy.  

Economic Issues
    Nancy Randolphs experiences also point out towards the economic issues that Virginia and the United States were facing during those period. The increasing opposition to slavery was leading to a fall in the tobacco business in the South and decline in the wealth of aristocratic families. Although Nancy was born in a wealthy family, she had to lead a life of poverty in her youth. Being an owner of tobacco plantations and numerous slaves, Nancys father was counted among one of the flourishing businessmen in Virginia. But with the changes in economic situation in the United States, which were brought about by the decline in tobacco plantations in the South and the rise in protests against slavery, the economic position of the Randolph family begin to descend. Richard Randolph was in debts at the time of his death. After Richards death, Nancy was forced by Judith and Richards younger brother, Jack to leave the house. Nancy led a life of poverty following her eviction from Richards house till she married Governor Morris, a wealthy northerner. After her marriage, Nancys financial status improved whereas the wealth of her relatives in the South was dwindling incessantly. The economy in the South, which was dominated by the tobacco-business, was on the verge of a collapse and this was affecting the overall economy of the new United States.

Social Issues
    The thinking and attitudes of the American society were undergoing numerous changes and this is evident from the changed manner in which people treated Nancy following the surfacing of the scandal. The value of equality was taking root in the society, as people came to regard the members of the aristocratic families as equal to themselves. And so when Nancy was thought to be indulging in immoral behavior, the society criticized her and looked down upon her. Even the slaves dared to talk about the immoral conduct of the members of the aristocratic families, which owned them. This shows that the protests against slavery were providing the slaves with the strength to voice their opinions regarding the behavior of the aristocracy. With the decline of aristocracy, the common people begin to realize and utilize their power. 

    The experiences of Nancy Randolph in the book Unwise Passions by Alan Pell Crawford present the impacts the changes in the economy and politics of the American society had on the aristocracy in Virginia. These impacts point towards the larger political, economical, and social issues facing both Virginia and the new United States.