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Author’s Preface
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Charlotte Temple, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Temptation and Vice
Regret, Guilt, and Shame
Deceit and Manipulation
Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness
Honor, Reputation, and Social Status
Wealth, Poverty, and Happiness
Summary
Analysis
Montraville is a lieutenant in the British army. One day, he and his fellow officer, Belcour, visit the town of Chichester to say goodbye to their friends because they’ll soon be setting sail for America. After they’ve visited with their friends, they decide to take a walk before returning to Portsmouth, hoping to run into some local women on their way home from church. On their way back, they see Madame Du Pont leading a group of schoolgirls out of the church. Montraville’s gaze falls on Charlotte Temple, a 15-year-old girl he once danced with at a ball. He’s suddenly overcome with attraction and desire, desperately hoping he can find a way to talk to her, but the moment passes without an opportunity to approach her.
The mere fact that Montraville and Belcour decide to walk through Chichester in the hopes of glimpsing some local women reveals their lustful motivations. Simply put, they’re actively looking for attractive young women to charm. Of course, Montraville is clearly older than Charlotte, who is only 15, but this age difference doesn’t deter him, since such things weren’t frowned upon in the late 18th century (which is when the novel is set). Rather, their age difference speaks to the power dynamic that will later factor into their relationship, since Montraville eventually exerts his influence as an older man capable of manipulating an innocent younger woman.
Themes
For the next three days, Montraville obsesses over Charlotte. Returning to Portsmouth does nothing to push her from his mind, nor does the fact that his soldierly duties will soon take him to America. He therefore comes back to Chichester and waits outside the boarding school. But he quickly loses heart: even if he does manage to win her affection, she will just feel tortured by his impending departure. He decides to leave before speaking to her, but then he sees her walking through the garden with a young French woman who works at the school. He makes small talk with them and charms the young teacher, giving Charlotte a note and the teacher five guineas not to say anything. Accepting the bribe, the teacher agrees to sneak Charlotte out of school to see Montraville the following evening.
