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
Count de Villefort receives two letters around the same time. One is from a lawyer advising him that Emily should try to exert her claim over Madame Montoni’s property regardless of what papers she has. The other is a letter from Quesnel informing Emily that Orsino was executed and Montoni kept in prison, where he died under mysterious circumstances. This means Emily no longer has any competitors for her property—and this new fortune seems to be why Quesnel is suddenly much nicer to Emily in his letter.
Although Montoni unjustly took control of property that belonged to Emily by forcing her to sign the papers, he doesn’t get to enjoy his conquest due to his death in prison. Montoni’s trajectory suggests that however much evil might seem to pay off in the short term, ultimately, immoral actions have consequences, even if it’s not immediate.
Themes
Count de Villefort goes to the convent to tell Emily about Quesnel’s letter. Although it’s good news for Emily, the Count is distracted by his own fears over the missing Ludovico. He decides that his only option is the face the room where Ludovico disappeared himself, along with Henri.
Although Emily has learned not to always take the advice of the Count de Villefort, the Count’s decision to face the Marchioness’s mysterious room himself suggests that he is still a fundamentally brave and selfless character.
Themes
