The novel incorporates some spiritual elements, such as deep discussions of God, religious revelations, and visions of ghosts. The story's themes include adoption, schooling, love, death, marriage, and familial secrets.
This book contains an historical essay and short biographies on those who stayed loyal to Britain during the American Revolution in the American colonies.
One of the earliest American writers of realistic fiction, Davis wrote about poor and working class women, factory life and social oppression, with the hope of affecting social change.
Charming self-portrait covers boyhood, work as a printer, political career, scientific experiments, much more. Its openness, honesty, and readable style have made the "Autobiography" one of the great classics of the genre.