Charlotte Temple · Chapter
XII: “How Thou Art Fall’n!” explained
Charlotte receives a loving letter from her mother inviting her home for her birthday, which momentarily strengthens her resolve to abandon her plan to elope.
What happens
Charlotte receives a loving letter from her mother inviting her home for her birthday, which momentarily strengthens her resolve to abandon her plan to elope. However, Mademoiselle La Rue manipulates her with arguments about shame, lost reputation, and Montraville's potential despair, ultimately persuading her to go to the assignation. There, Montraville's passionate pleas overwhelm her wavering resolution, and he lifts her into the chaise as she cries out for her parents, sealing her fall.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Betrayal
Montraville's manipulative rhetoric and La Rue's calculated persuasion betray Charlotte's trust, leading her to abandon her duty and family.
Female Virtue and Fall
Charlotte's internal struggle between virtue and inclination culminates in her literal fall into the chaise, symbolizing her loss of innocence and social standing.
Parental Love and Grief
Mrs. Temple's tender letter underscores the depth of parental love, which Charlotte knowingly betrays, foreshadowing the grief her actions will cause.
Characters to notice
- Charlotte Temple
Torn between duty and love, she initially resolves to reject Montraville after reading her mother's letter, but is swayed by La Rue's manipulation and Montraville's desperate entreaties, ultimately eloping.
- Mademoiselle La Rue
Acts as a tempter, using rhetoric to undermine Charlotte's resolve and ensure the elopement proceeds, while secretly preparing to leave herself.
- Montraville
Waits at the assignation, uses emotional pleas and threats of suicide to overcome Charlotte's objections, and physically lifts her into the chaise.
- Mrs. Temple
Her loving letter inviting Charlotte home for her birthday serves as a catalyst for Charlotte's brief moment of repentance.
- Madame Du Pont
The affectionate governess who notices Charlotte's distress and delivers the letter from Mrs. Temple, unknowingly witnessing Charlotte's inner turmoil.
- Belcour
Accompanies Montraville to the assignation, assisting in the elopement scheme.
Key passages
““I will sacrifice love to duty.””
Charlotte declares her intention to choose familial obligation over romantic desire.
This moment of resolve is quickly undermined by La Rue's persuasion and Montraville's pleas.
““Oh! my dear forsaken parents!” cried Charlotte. The chaise drove off. She shrieked and fainted into the arms of her betrayer.”
As the carriage departs, Charlotte cries out for her parents before losing consciousness in Montraville's embrace.
The climax of the chapter marks Charlotte's irreversible fall and the betrayal of her parents' love.