The Mysteries of Udolpho · Chapter
Chapter XXXVII explained
Emily visits the cottage of La Voisin, where she is reminded of her father's death.
What happens
Emily visits the cottage of La Voisin, where she is reminded of her father's death. She stays at Château-le-Blanc, where the Count and Countess De Villefort treat her kindly. Du Pont departs after confessing his hopeless love for Emily. Emily later returns to the convent of St. Claire, receives a cold letter from her uncle Monsieur Quesnel regarding her affairs, and awaits news from Valancourt. The chapter also includes a conversation with Dorothée about the late Marchioness de Villeroi, stirring Emily's curiosity.
Themes in this chapter
Grief and Melancholy
Emily's sorrow over her father's death is revisited at La Voisin's cottage and at her father's grave; Du Pont's silent melancholy over unrequited love is also highlighted.
Female Agency and Vulnerability
Emily navigates her financial dependence on her uncle, seeks refuge in a convent, and relies on the Count's protection, illustrating the limited agency of women.
Characters to notice
- Emily St. Aubert
Visits La Voisin's cottage, stays at Château-le-Blanc, returns to the convent, and corresponds with her uncle and Valancourt.
- Valancourt
Mentioned as the recipient of a letter from Emily; she anxiously awaits his reply.
- Monsieur Du Pont
Confesses his hopeless love for Emily to the Count and departs for Gascony.
- Count De Villefort
Hosts Emily at Château-le-Blanc, shows kindness, and learns of Du Pont's affection.
- Blanche
Becomes Emily's friend, shows her around the château, and requests stories from Dorothée.
Key passages
“merrily together still, thank God! and I believe there is not a happier family to be found in Languedoc, than ours.”
La Voisin declares that his family continues to live joyfully together, and he believes no family in Languedoc is happier.
La Voisin's contentment contrasts with Emily's grief.
“Emily did not trust herself in the chamber, where St. Aubert died; and, after half an hour’s conversation with La Voisin and his family, she left the cottage.”
Emily avoided entering the room where her father died and left the cottage after a brief visit.
Shows Emily's ongoing grief and avoidance of painful memories.
“The dejection of his friend soon alarmed the anxiety of the Count, to whom Du Pont, at length, confided the secret of his hopeless affection, which, however, the former could only commiserate, though he secretly determined to befriend his suit, if an opportunity of doing so should ever occur.”
Du Pont's sadness worried the Count, and Du Pont eventually revealed his unrequited love for Emily; the Count sympathized but privately resolved to help him if possible.
Highlights Du Pont's suffering and the Count's benevolent intentions.
“The well-known scenes of the convent occasioned her many melancholy recollections, but with these were mingled others, that inspired gratitude for having escaped the various dangers, that had pursued her, since she quitted it, and for the good, which she yet possessed; and, though she once more wept over her father’s grave, with tears of tender affection, her grief was softened from its former acuteness.”
The familiar convent brought back sad memories, but also gratitude for surviving recent dangers; she wept at her father's grave, but her grief had become less sharp.
Emily's emotional healing is evident as she finds solace in gratitude.
“The reply of Mons. Quesnel was cold and formal, as she expected, expressing neither concern for the evils she suffered, nor pleasure, that she was now removed from them; nor did he allow the opportunity to pass, of reproving her for her rejection of Count Morano, whom he affected still to believe a man of honour and fortune; nor of vehemently declaiming against Montoni, to whom he had always, till now, felt himself to be inferior.”
Monsieur Quesnel's letter was cold and formal, showing no concern for Emily's hardships, and he criticized her for refusing Count Morano while also ranting against Montoni.
Reveals Quesnel's unsympathetic and self-serving character.
