Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark · Chapter
Letter XVIII: Copenhagen explained
Wollstonecraft describes her arrival in Copenhagen, observing the devastation from a recent fire that destroyed a quarter of the city.
What happens
Wollstonecraft describes her arrival in Copenhagen, observing the devastation from a recent fire that destroyed a quarter of the city. She criticizes the lack of public spirit and effective leadership, particularly the Prince Royal's indecisiveness. She reflects on the character of the Danes, noting their indolence and domestic tyranny. The letter includes a defense of the unfortunate Queen Matilda, whom she sees as a victim of political intrigue, and a critique of the king's debility and the court's hypocrisy.
Themes in this chapter
Social Critique and Class
Wollstonecraft criticizes the Danish aristocracy's indifference, the Prince Royal's weak leadership, and the lack of public spirit, contrasting with the suffering of the poor.
Gender and Women's Condition
Defense of Queen Matilda against gendered slander, and critique of Danish women's limited roles as 'notable housewives' and their spoiling of children.
Freedom and Despotism
Observations on the king's puppet-like existence and the Prince Royal's failure to act decisively, reflecting on the nature of power and tyranny.
Characters to notice
- Mary Wollstonecraft
Narrator and observer, arriving in Copenhagen and reflecting on the fire's aftermath and Danish society.
- Matilda
The unfortunate Queen Matilda, defended by Wollstonecraft against accusations of licentiousness and poor motherhood.
- Count Bernstorff
Mentioned as the minister who holds the king's strings, controlling the government.
- Gilbert Imlay
Implied as the recipient of the letter, addressed as 'you' throughout.
Key passages
“The view of the city, as we drew near, was rather grand, but without any striking feature to interest the imagination, excepting the trees which shade the footpaths.”
The approach to Copenhagen was impressive but lacked imaginative appeal, save for the trees along the paths.
Wollstonecraft's initial impression of Copenhagen's scenery.
“Adhering, with puerile scrupulosity, to the law which he has imposed on himself, of acting exactly right, he did wrong by idly lamenting whilst he marked the progress of a mischief that one decided step would have stopped.”
The Prince Royal's rigid adherence to doing what he thought was right led him to hesitate and fail to stop the fire, causing greater harm.
Critique of the Prince Royal's indecisiveness during the fire.
“Poor Matilda! thou hast haunted me ever since my arrival; and the view I have had of the manners of the country, exciting my sympathy, has increased my respect for thy memory.”
The memory of Queen Matilda has been on my mind since arriving, and observing Danish customs has deepened my sympathy and admiration for her.
Wollstonecraft's emotional connection to the story of Queen Matilda.