# XII: “How Thou Art Fall’n!” explained — Charlotte Temple

> Chapter companion for Charlotte Temple by Susanna Haswell Rowson.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> “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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xii-how-thou-art-fall-n
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters