# Epigraph explained — Charlotte Temple

> Chapter companion for Charlotte Temple by Susanna Haswell Rowson.

## What happens

The epigraph introduces Charlotte Temple as a beloved only child, beautiful and virtuous, but foreshadows her ruin by a cruel seducer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Betrayal

The 'cruel spoiler' foreshadows the seduction and betrayal that will lead to Charlotte's downfall.

### Parental Love and Grief

Charlotte is introduced as her parents' only joy, setting up the profound grief they will suffer.

## Character check-ins

### Charlotte Temple

Described as the only joy of her parents, faultless in form, and possessing a noble, just, humane, and kind mind with a warm heart.

## Key lines

> She was her parents’ only joy: They had but one⁠—one darling child.

Charlotte was the sole source of happiness for her parents, their only beloved child.

_Establishes the deep parental bond and foreshadows the tragedy of losing her._

> But, ah! the cruel spoiler came⁠—

But alas, a heartless seducer arrived.

_Directly hints at Montraville's role in Charlotte's ruin._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/epigraph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters