Fanny Hill

In the opening of the first letter, Fanny seems reluctant to discuss her life, but in the opening of the second letter, she promises greater variety in her descriptions. What changes between the two letters? How does this shift reflect the trajectory of Fanny’s life and experiences?

Women in Georgian England lacked opportunities for economic independence, particularly if they were not raised to do domestic labor. Given her constraints, was Fanny’s entrance into sex work avoidable or inevitable? Would it be appropriate to call Mrs. Brown a villain or a savior for Fanny? What are the implications of your conclusion for the question of the role of sex work in 18th-century England?

Perform a close reading of Phoebe and Fanny’s interactions, looking specifically at their perceptions of sexuality, their sexual behavior, and the promise of future sexual exploration. In what ways is Phoebe a guide for Fanny in a new territory? How might an 18th-century audience see Phoebe as a corrupting influence? What role does Fanny’s innocence play in these scenes?