# I: A Boarding School explained — Charlotte Temple

> Chapter companion for Charlotte Temple by Susanna Haswell Rowson.

## What happens

Montraville and Belcour, two British officers, stop in Chichester and see Charlotte Temple leaving church with her school. Montraville, captivated by her beauty, resolves to pursue her. He returns to the school grounds, where he encounters Charlotte and her French teacher, Mademoiselle La Rue. He gives Charlotte a letter and bribes La Rue to arrange another meeting.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Betrayal

Montraville's calculated pursuit of Charlotte, using a bribe to enlist La Rue's help, initiates a seduction plot.

### Female Virtue and Fall

Charlotte's innocence is highlighted as she is targeted by Montraville, setting the stage for her potential ruin.

### Friendship and Deception

La Rue, a trusted teacher, betrays her duty for money, deceiving Charlotte and her guardians.

## Character check-ins

### Montraville

A lieutenant in the army, he becomes infatuated with Charlotte after seeing her at church and schemes to meet her again.

### Belcour

Montraville's brother officer, who accompanies him and dismisses Montraville's romantic interest.

### Charlotte Temple

A young schoolgirl, now fourteen, who blushes upon seeing Montraville and receives a letter from him.

### Mademoiselle La Rue

A French teacher at the school who accepts a bribe to help Montraville arrange a meeting with Charlotte.

### Madame Du Pont

The head of the school, who leads the students from church.

## Key lines

> I never think of the future, replied Montraville; but am determined to make the most of the present

Montraville lives only for the moment, ignoring the consequences of his actions.

_Reveals Montraville's reckless and impulsive character._

> I will think on her no more, said he, and turned with an intention to leave the place; but as he turned he saw the gate which led to the pleasure grounds open and two women come out

Montraville resolves to forget Charlotte but is immediately presented with an opportunity to see her again.

_Foreshadows his inability to resist temptation and the unfolding plot._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-i-a-boarding-school
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters