The Mysteries of Udolpho · Chapter
Chapter III explained
St.
What happens
St. Aubert and Emily continue their journey through the Pyrenees, enjoying sublime landscapes and encountering a young stranger named Valancourt, who offers his bed to St. Aubert. They struggle to find lodging in a poor village, but Valancourt's kindness and the beauty of nature provide solace.
Themes in this chapter
The Sublime and Landscape
The chapter vividly describes the majestic Pyrenees, inspiring awe and spiritual reflection in the travelers.
Grief and Melancholy
St. Aubert's pensive melancholy and sense of impending loss color his enjoyment of the scenery.
Virtue and Self-Command
Valancourt's selfless offer of his bed and St. Aubert's initial refusal demonstrate virtue and consideration for others.
Characters to notice
- St. Aubert
Travels with Emily through the Pyrenees, seeking health and solace in nature; accepts Valancourt's offer of a bed.
- Emily St. Aubert
Accompanies her father, showing tender concern for his health; delights in the grandeur of the mountain scenery.
- Valancourt
A young stranger who offers his bed to St. Aubert; displays manly frankness and a keen appreciation for nature.
- Monsieur Barreaux
St. Aubert's friend, a botanist, who parts with regret as the travelers continue their journey.
- Michael
The muleteer who quarrels with the hostess over lodging for his mules.
Key passages
“O how canst thou renounce the boundless store Of charms which nature to her vot'ry yields!”
How can you give up the endless beauty that nature offers to those who appreciate it?
Epigraph from The Minstrel, setting the tone for the chapter's celebration of nature.
“St. Aubert seemed to Drag at each remove a lengthening chain.”
With each step away from home, St. Aubert felt a heavier burden of attachment.
Reflects St. Aubert's melancholy and sense of leaving behind his cherished home.