Sowing and Reaping: A Temperance Story

Sowing and Reaping: A Temperance Story, written by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and first published in 1876, is a novel that examines the impact of alcohol on individuals and society. The story contrasts the lives of Paul Clifford, who advocates for temperance and moral integrity, and John Anderson, who seeks wealth through the liquor trade. This work is notable for being one of the first novels addressing African American experiences and social issues, including temperance, and it highlights the consequences of choices in a morally complex society. Edited by Frances Smith Foster, it was rediscovered as part of a collection of Harper's serialized novels from the late 19th century.