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Chapter 27
Themes
and Colors
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
The author acknowledges that some of her younger female readers might not want to read more of this tale, which is full of “fainting, tears, and distress.” She reminds these readers that she’s composing a “tale of truth” that isn’t intended to bring pleasure. Instead, it’s supposed to teach an important lesson. At the same time, the author recognizes that the lesson might seem imperfect, since Mademoiselle La Rue seems to have found success by indulging immoral behavior. But this isn’t necessarily the case: La Rue (now known as Mrs. Crayton) will surely get her due. For now, her new husband has tired of her and lets her do whatever she wants, so she has taken a side lover named Mr. Corydon. She rarely thinks about Charlotte except to laugh at her misfortune.
The author doesn’t miss a single opportunity to remind readers that Charlotte Temple is a cautionary tale. To that end, Rowson implies that Mademoiselle La Rue—now Mrs. Crayton—will eventually meet an unfortunate end. This hints at one of the novel’s primary messages, which is that indulging in vice might seem rewarding at first but later leads to disaster and unhappiness.
Active
Themes
Literary Devices
