Charlotte Temple · Chapter
XX: Virtue—When Most Amiable explained
Charlotte awakens to find Montraville gone and a note from him that speaks only of 'unalterable friendship,' leaving her devastated.
What happens
Charlotte awakens to find Montraville gone and a note from him that speaks only of 'unalterable friendship,' leaving her devastated. Belcour visits and plants seeds of jealousy in her heart. Meanwhile, Mrs. Beauchamp, moved by Charlotte's solitary and sorrowful state, resolves to offer her friendship and compassion despite societal scorn.
Themes in this chapter
Seduction and Betrayal
Montraville's abandonment and Belcour's manipulative visit highlight the betrayal Charlotte suffers after being seduced.
Female Virtue and Fall
Charlotte's despair and Mrs. Beauchamp's compassionate desire to 'raise a fallen sister' directly engage with the theme of female virtue and its loss.
Characters to notice
- Charlotte Temple
Awakens to find Montraville gone and a note that devastates her; she struggles between despair and hope, then is further tormented by Belcour's insinuations.
- Montraville
Leaves a note for Charlotte claiming 'unalterable friendship' and departs on 'unavoidable business,' signaling his growing coldness.
- Belcour
Visits Charlotte and deliberately plants jealousy in her heart, hoping to drive a wedge between her and Montraville.
- Mrs. Beauchamp
Observes Charlotte's melancholy and resolves to offer her friendship and compassion, despite the risk of societal derision.
- Captain Beauchamp
Supports his wife's decision to visit Charlotte, praising her virtuous and compassionate nature.
Key passages
“Virtue never appears so amiable as when reaching forth her hand to raise a fallen sister.”
Virtue is most beautiful when it helps someone who has made a mistake.
Epigraph that sets the moral tone for the chapter, foreshadowing Mrs. Beauchamp's compassionate actions.
“Make yourself happy, and be certain of the unalterable friendship of Montraville.”
Be happy and trust in my everlasting friendship.
Montraville's dismissive note to Charlotte, signaling his emotional withdrawal.
“He had no idea that a woman might fall a victim to imprudence, and yet retain so strong a sense of honor as to reject, with horror and contempt, every solicitation to a second fault.”
Belcour did not understand that a woman could make a mistake yet still have enough honor to refuse further wrongdoing.
Narrator's commentary on Belcour's misunderstanding of Charlotte's character.
“Would to Heaven I could snatch her from so hard a fate!”
I wish I could save her from such a terrible destiny.
Mrs. Beauchamp's heartfelt wish to help Charlotte.