The Mysteries of Udolpho · Chapter
XLVII explained
Emily visits Sister Frances in her cell and learns the tragic story of Sister Agnes, a nun of noble birth whose love for a man of inferior fortune led her to defy her father's wishes, marry a nobleman she disliked, commit adultery, and ulti
What happens
Emily visits Sister Frances in her cell and learns the tragic story of Sister Agnes, a nun of noble birth whose love for a man of inferior fortune led her to defy her father's wishes, marry a nobleman she disliked, commit adultery, and ultimately take refuge in the convent after her father helped her escape her husband's vengeance. The story parallels the Marchioness de Villeroi's fate and deeply affects Emily. Meanwhile, the Count returns disturbed and plans to change residence, while the nuns discuss his bravery in spending a night in the haunted apartment where Ludovico vanished. Sister Agnes experiences a fit of madness, warning Emily about the passions within her heart.
Themes in this chapter
Grief and Melancholy
Sister Agnes's deep melancholy and madness, stemming from her tragic past, dominate the chapter; Emily is also moved to tears by the nun's story.
Love and Separation
The story of Sister Agnes involves forbidden love and forced separation, paralleling the Marchioness de Villeroi's fate and Du Pont's unrequited love for Emily.
Female Agency and Vulnerability
Agnes's lack of agency in her marriage and her subsequent fall from grace highlight the vulnerability of women in a patriarchal society; Emily's own precarious position is underscored.
Characters to notice
- Emily St. Aubert
Visits Sister Frances's cell to hear the story of Sister Agnes; is deeply affected by the tale and the nun's madness.
- Agnes
The mad nun whose tragic story of love, guilt, and madness is revealed; she warns Emily about the passions in her heart.
- Sister Frances
The nun who tells Emily the history of Sister Agnes and explains her fits of madness.
- Monsieur Du Pont
Described as despondent over his attachment to Emily; the Count tries to console him with hope.
- Count De Villefort
Returns home disturbed and plans to change residence; his bravery in spending a night in the haunted apartment is discussed by the nuns.
- Ludovico
Mentioned as having disappeared from the castle; the nuns discuss the Count's intrepidity in spending a night in the apartment where Ludovico vanished.
Key passages
“Love was the occasion of her crime and of her madness. She was beloved by a gentleman of inferior fortune, and her father, as I have heard, bestowing her on a nobleman, whom she disliked, an ill-governed passion proved her destruction.”
Her love for a man of lower social standing and her father forcing her to marry a nobleman she did not love led to her downfall and insanity.
Sister Frances explains the origin of Sister Agnes's tragedy.
“You are young—you are innocent! I mean you are yet innocent of any great crime!—But you have passions in your heart—scorpions; they sleep now—beware how you awaken them!—they will sting you, even unto death!”
You are still young and have not committed any serious sin, but you harbor dangerous passions that could destroy you if unleashed.
Sister Agnes warns Emily about the dangers of unchecked emotions.