Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Mysteries of Udolpho, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Marriage, Love, and Inheritance
The Wonders of Nature
Mystery and Superstition
Mortality
The Value of Education and Art
Summary
Analysis
Going back in time, to the morning when Emily is originally leaving Venice with the others, Count Morano arrives at the house to demand Emily, only to find that the whole family has already left. Count Morano curses Montoni and learns from the one old servant left behind about Udolpho. It turns out Montoni learned that Count Morano’s wealth might not be as significant as his reputation after all, and he believed the Count was simply trying to get Emily’s property.
Once again, wealth plays the most important role in marriage considerations for these characters. Even after making this mistake once by marrying Madame Montoni (only to learn she wasn’t as wealthy as expected), Montoni continues to treat money as the most important aspect of marriage, showing how he doesn’t learn from his mistakes.
Themes
Montoni is surprised when Count Morano actually follows him to Udolpho. He initially agrees to let the Count in, but Count Morano is so angry and indignant that Montoni gets angry too. Count Morano withdraws for the evening, thinking Montoni may reconsider the matter, but eventually he reasons that it would be better to take Emily off on his own. Carlo, however, happens to overhear Morano’s servants and warns Montoni, who goes to rescue Emily, bringing the story back to the present, where it left off in the previous chapter.
This passage continues to show the extent of Count Morano’s self-delusion, illustrating how much he believed Emily wanted to be with him despite all the evidence to the contrary. It also shows again that Montoni is so greedy that his opinion of Count Morano immediately changes after he learns new information about Morano’s lack of wealth.
Themes
The next morning, Montoni goes out on the ramparts with his wounded arm in a sling. Count Morano remains in a cottage near the woods below, resting with his own injuries. Carlo tries to figure out which servant helped Count Morano get into the castle. Montoni initially suspects Barnardine, the porter, but he can’t prove it.
Both Montoni and Count Morano ended up wounded without either one of them accomplishing anything, showing how greed can be self-destructive. In addition to his physical injury, Montoni also comes away from the encounter more paranoid than ever, not sure which of his servants in the castle he can trust.
Themes
Annette asks Emily is she would like to see a picture of the lady of the house who disappeared (Signora Laurentini), and Emily gets frightened, fearing she means the picture with the black veil. But it turns out to be a different one. In the portrait, which is from 20 years ago, Signora Laurentini is young and beautiful, with a passionate look.
Although Signora Laurentini is beautiful in her portrait, she is currently missing and possibly dead, suggesting how fleeting qualities like beauty are. By comparison, Emily is also beautiful, but she has other good qualities that will continue to stay with her even if she is no longer beautiful.
Themes
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Emily goes to see Madame Montoni, who complains that she has been treated poorly. She believes Montoni is taking advantage of her generosity, trying to get her to sign away her property to him, since he lost so much of his at gambling. She says Montoni has even threatened to get violent if she doesn’t sign the papers. Emily advises her to sign the papers—since she suspects Montoni’s threats of violence aren’t empty. Madame Montoni gets angry at Emily, and she leaves.
Like Montoni and Count Morano, Madame Montoni is so determined to hold on to what she has that she is even willing to risk injury to herself over it. After seeing how much Montoni injured Count Morano in a duel, it’s clear that he has the capacity for violence, but even with this proof, Madame Montoni is too selfish to think rationally.
Themes
That evening, Emily learns from Annette that Montoni and Madame Montoni are having dinner separately. Emily asks about Count Morano, and Annette says he’s in bad condition, with many saying he’ll probably die. Annette starts telling Emily about how Madame Montoni was originally the one pushing Montoni to force Emily to be more obedient and marry Count Morano, but Emily doesn’t want to hear anything bad about her aunt.
Up until this point, Emily has assumed that, while Madame Montoni was selfish, it was ultimately Montoni himself who was trying to manipulate her in to marrying Count Morano. Annette, however, reveals that Madame Montoni—Emily’s own aunt—was the one trying to force the marriage. This makes it even clearer that Madame Montoni doesn’t have Emily’s best interests in mind, but Emily remains so loyal that she doesn’t want to hear bad things about her aunt, even if they’re true.
Themes
Annette continues speaking, however: Madame Montoni has been spreading rumors that Emily was planning to elope with Valancourt. Although Emily once again scolds Annette for speaking ill of Madame Montoni, when she’s alone, Emily wonders what she did to make her aunt treat her so poorly.
Annette continues to present clear evidence of how Madame Montoni has mistreated Emily, not only attempting to force her into marriage but spreading hostile lies about her. Annette’s message seems to finally sink in for Emily, but Emily still blames herself for provoking her aunt, rather than realizing Madame Montoni is the one behaving badly.
Themes
That night, Montoni stays up late with Cavigni and Verezzi. Montoni is in a good mood until Verezzi mentions a rumor from Count Morano that Montoni doesn’t legally own Udolpho. Verezzi apologizes, and they all drink to “the lady of the castle.” Montoni promises to explain the unusual circumstances through which he inherited Udolpho. But just as he says he’ll “repeat them,” a mysterious voice calls out “Repeat them!” Everyone pauses for a moment, fearing an eavesdropper, before concluding that they’re alone after all.
This passage helps establish the dynamics between Montoni and his friends Cavigni and Verezzi, showing that, while Montoni may have debts and obligations related to gambling, he remains the clear leader of this particular social circle. The mysterious repeating voice in this chapter is yet another mystery that gestures toward the supernatural while also leaving open the possibility of an everyday explanation. This mystery also contributes to Montoni’s increasing paranoia.
Themes
Montoni explains that many years ago, Signora Laurentini began showing early signs of madness, including melancholy and a “disturbed” mind. After one particularly severe fit, she disappeared, never to return, and no body was ever found. Verezzi asks if Montoni is suggesting she killed herself. Montoni says he will explain how he reached that conclusion, but as he’s asking them to “listen,” a voice calls out “Listen!” This time, everyone is sure they heard a voice, but Montoni thinks it must be some trick. He says he isn’t superstitious but would like the move their discussion to another room anyway.
This passage is yet another example of how men like Montoni can use their greater authority against women. With Laurentini not around to tell her side of the story, there’s no way to know if she actually went “mad” or if this is all just a convenient excuse for Montoni to hide whatever he really did to Signora Laurentini. The strange voice in this passage suggests that Montoni continues to be metaphorically haunted by his past actions, or perhaps even literally haunted.
Themes
