Ormond; or the Secret Witness, is about the nature of change and political revolution. Author Charles Brown's novel, which was published in 1799, is set a little more than a decade after the adoption of the Constitution, a time of tremendous change and upheaval in the United States. The period after the adoption of the Consitution was one marked by an intense search for a national identity. Namely: who will have the power in the country, what kind of people will be valued, and who will have rights? Will it be everyone, as the founding documents said, or just white men?
Not only that, the novel delves into the complexities of human psychology, social justice, and the quest for personal autonomy within turbulent times. The novel follows a young woman named Constantia Dudley, who lives in Philadelphia. One day, Constantia's mundane and peaceful existence is shattered by the death of her father. Her father's death leaves her and her siblings unable to take care of themselves and in financial ruin, vulnerable to the dregs of society who seek to exploit them in a time of need.
Eventually, Constantia meets Ormond, a mysterious and equally charismatic man who begins to use his charm and manipulation tactics to influence Constantia. Ormond is typical of many men of the era: because of his gender, he is afforded more opportunities than other people, especially women. Ormond enjoys exerting power and control over Constantia through the use of his intellect and manipulative tactics. Although he helps the family out of a difficult financial situation, his help comes with strings and is a threat to Constantia's autonomy. Constantia begins to resent Ormond and wages a battle against him, reflecting the broader societal conversation of the time related to the challenges individuals—especially women—face in asserting their independence and agency.
In the end, Ormond; or the Secret Witness, is a feminist novel, as Constantia and her family triumph despite Ormond and other particularly heinous men's actions. Constantia begins to build a life for herself, free from the constraints of men and everyone else around her.
