The Mysteries of Udolpho · Chapter
Chapter XXV explained
Emily learns from Barnardine that Madame Montoni is alive but imprisoned in a chamber above the castle gates.
What happens
Emily learns from Barnardine that Madame Montoni is alive but imprisoned in a chamber above the castle gates. She agrees to meet him at dusk on the east rampart to hear more, despite her growing unease about his motives. Meanwhile, she recalls the mysterious music from the previous night and waits for its return, but it does not come. Annette reports that Count Morano has recovered and returned to Venice. Emily resolves to confront Montoni again about her aunt's fate.
Themes in this chapter
Oppression and Imprisonment
Madame Montoni is held captive in a tower, and Emily feels trapped by fear and uncertainty, highlighting the theme of physical and psychological imprisonment.
The Supernatural and the Unknown
Emily's superstitious watch for the mysterious music and her fear of Barnardine's intentions evoke the unknown and the supernatural.
Female Agency and Vulnerability
Emily takes cautious steps to uncover the truth about her aunt, but her limited power and reliance on male intermediaries underscore her vulnerability.
Characters to notice
- Emily St. Aubert
Anxious and determined, Emily arranges a secret meeting with Barnardine to learn about her aunt's fate and reflects on the mysterious music.
- Annette
Serves as Emily's messenger and companion, reporting Barnardine's requests and news of Count Morano's recovery.
- Barnardine
The porter who reveals Madame Montoni is alive and imprisoned, but his sinister manner and secretive demands raise Emily's suspicions.
- Madame Montoni
Reported by Barnardine to be alive but held prisoner in a chamber over the great gates; her fate remains uncertain.
- Montoni
Carousing with his guests in the castle; Emily fears his avarice and vengeance toward Madame Montoni.
- Ludovico
Mentioned by Annette as recovering from wounds, though still unwell.
Key passages
“The Signora is alive, said he, for me. She is my prisoner, though; his Excellenza has shut her up in the chamber over the great gates of the court, and I have the charge of her.”
Barnardine tells Emily that Madame Montoni is alive but imprisoned in a room above the main gate, under his guard.
This revelation relieves Emily's immediate fear of her aunt's death but introduces new concerns about Barnardine's trustworthiness.
“Emily, relieved from an unutterable load of anguish by this speech, had now only to ask Barnardine's forgiveness, and to conjure, that he would let her visit her aunt.”
Overwhelmed with relief, Emily apologizes to Barnardine and begs him to allow her to see her aunt.
Emily's emotional shift from despair to hope underscores her deep attachment to her aunt.
“The planet she had so particularly noticed, at the recurrence of the music, was not yet risen; but, with superstitious weakness, she kept her eyes fixed on that part of the hemisphere, where it would rise, almost expecting, that, when it appeared, the sounds would return.”
Emily watches for the same planet that appeared with the mysterious music the previous night, hoping the music will return.
Her superstitious anticipation highlights the Gothic atmosphere and her psychological state.