Melmoth the Wanderer · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
Isidora, tormented by the contrast between her past and present, prays fervently to the Virgin, expressing her inner turmoil and longing for her former life.
What happens
Isidora, tormented by the contrast between her past and present, prays fervently to the Virgin, expressing her inner turmoil and longing for her former life. Meanwhile, a tense family discussion unfolds between Doña Clara, Don Fernan, and Father Jose about Isidora's future, with the priest advocating for her to take the veil. Isidora's sudden shriek during a chess game reveals her secret distress, and Father Jose, suspecting a hidden secret, manipulates the family to gain power over the situation.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Alienation
Isidora feels deeply alienated from her family and surroundings, longing for her past life and struggling with the monotony of her present existence.
Temptation and Faith
Isidora's prayer reveals her struggle between her faith and her overwhelming emotions, while Father Jose uses faith as a tool for manipulation.
Family and Dependence
The family dynamics show Isidora's dependence on her mother and brother, who debate her future without her consent, highlighting familial control.
Characters to notice
- Doña Isidora
Isidora prays to the Virgin, expressing her inner conflict and longing for her past. She later shrieks in alarm, hinting at a secret.
- Doña Clara
Doña Clara participates in the discussion about Isidora's future, showing concern and support for her daughter taking the veil.
- Don Fernan di Aliaga
Fernan opposes the idea of Isidora taking the veil, arguing for her marriage to improve the family's status.
- Father Jose
Father Jose advocates for Isidora to take the veil, uses theological arguments, and manipulates the family to uncover secrets.
Key passages
“Let me lose all feeling of my present existence, or all memory of the past! Why do my former thoughts return? They once made me happy, now they are thorns in my heart!”
Isidora prays to forget her past, which now causes her pain, and to escape her current suffering.
Isidora's prayer reveals her deep emotional conflict and desire to escape her memories.
“I will never hear of it, Father; my sister's beauty and wealth entitle me to claim alliance with the first families in Spain”
Fernan refuses to consider Isidora taking the veil, wanting to use her for a prestigious marriage.
Fernan's objection shows his materialistic view of Isidora's worth.
“She raves; ye are to blame; forbear to hang round and to question her.”
Father Jose dismisses Isidora's distress as raving and tells the family to stop questioning her.
Father Jose manipulates the situation to keep Isidora's secret hidden from her family.