XV: Embarkation explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Parental Love and Grief

  Mr. and Mrs. Temple's desperate search for Charlotte and their willingness to forgive her highlight the depth of parental love and the sorrow of loss.

• Seduction and Betrayal

  Montraville's destruction of Charlotte's letter betrays her trust and prevents her from reconciling with her parents, furthering her seduction and isolation.

Characters to notice

• Charlotte Temple

  Writes a letter to her parents seeking forgiveness, but Montraville destroys it; she hopes for a reply before the fleet sails.

• Montraville

  Supports Charlotte's spirits during the journey but tears up her letter to prevent it from reaching Mr. Temple.

• Mademoiselle La Rue

  Assists Montraville in supporting Charlotte during the ride to Portsmouth.

• Mrs. Temple

  Grieves for Charlotte but resolves to appear cheerful to support her husband and father.

• Mr. Temple

  Searches for Charlotte and expresses willingness to forgive her if she returns.

Key passages

• “It was with the utmost difficulty that the united efforts of mademoiselle and Montraville could support Charlotte’s spirits during their short ride from Chichester to Portsmouth, where a boat waited to take them immediately on board the ship in which they were to embark for America.”

  Charlotte's spirits were barely sustained by Mademoiselle La Rue and Montraville as they traveled from Chichester to Portsmouth, where a boat was ready to take them to the ship bound for America.

  Describes the emotional strain of Charlotte's departure.

• “But Montraville knew too well the consequences that must unavoidably ensue should this letter reach Mr. Temple: he, therefore, wisely resolved to walk on the deck, tear it in pieces, and commit the fragments to the care of Neptune, who might or might not, as it suited his convenience, convey them on shore.”

  Montraville, aware that the letter would cause trouble if it reached Mr. Temple, tore it up and threw the pieces into the sea.

  Highlights Montraville's deception and control over Charlotte's communication.

• “Thus argued this excellent woman: and in the execution of so laudable a resolution, we shall leave her to follow the fortunes of the hapless victim of imprudence and evil counselors.”

  Mrs. Temple resolved to hide her grief and support her family, while the narrative turns back to Charlotte, the unfortunate victim of poor judgment and bad advice.

  Shifts focus from Mrs. Temple's resilience back to Charlotte's tragic story.