# Charlotte Temple — Charlotte Temple character guide > Charlotte Temple in Charlotte Temple by Susanna Haswell Rowson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Charlotte, the hapless Charlotte, poor Charlotte, the unhappy Charlotte, Madame Charlotte, the lovely Charlotte Temple, Cruel Charlotte **First appearance:** 0002-charlotte-temple ## Snapshot A tender-hearted English schoolgirl whose innocence, vanity, and craving for affection make her easy prey for a charming officer's promises of love and marriage. ## Who they are Charlotte is a sheltered young woman sent to a boarding school where flattery and forbidden letters awaken desires her upbringing never prepared her to govern. Her fatal softness — a reluctance to wound anyone, even those deceiving her — collides with La Rue's scheming and Montraville's pursuit. Her choices in the novel's first half set in motion the seduction and elopement that the rest of the book mourns. ## Relationships ### [Montraville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/montraville) _romantic_ A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin. ### [Belcour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/belcour) _psychological_ Belcour manipulates and deceives Charlotte, acting as a predatory figure who exploits her vulnerability. ### [Mademoiselle La Rue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/mademoiselle_la_rue) _psychological_ La Rue acts as a corrupting influence and false friend, luring Charlotte into danger under the guise of companionship. ### [Julia Franklin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/julia_franklin) _social_ They are acquaintances within the same social circle, with Julia representing the virtuous life Charlotte could have had. ### [Colonel Crayton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/colonel_crayton) _professional_ Colonel Crayton is a military superior and authority figure who provides lodging but ultimately fails to protect Charlotte. ### [Henry Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/henry_temple) _family_ A tender father-daughter relationship, with Henry Temple grieving his daughter's tragic choices and eventual death. ### [John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/john) _professional_ John is a loyal servant who shows kindness to Charlotte in her time of need, offering small acts of assistance. ### [Charlotte Stanley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/charlotte_stanley) _family_ Charlotte Stanley is likely a relative (possibly an aunt or cousin) who shows concern for Charlotte Temple's welfare. ### [Montraville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/montraville) _romantic_ A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin. ### [Montraville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/montraville) _romantic_ A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin. ### [Mademoiselle La Rue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/mademoiselle_la_rue) _psychological_ La Rue acts as a corrupting influence and false friend, luring Charlotte into danger under the guise of companionship. ### [Mademoiselle La Rue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/mademoiselle_la_rue) _psychological_ La Rue acts as a corrupting influence and false friend, luring Charlotte into danger under the guise of companionship. ## In the story ### [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/epigraph) Described as the only joy of her parents, faultless in form, and possessing a noble, just, humane, and kind mind with a warm heart. ### [The Author's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/the-author-s-preface) The subject of the tale, whose unfortunate fate is recounted as a warning. ### [Charlotte Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/charlotte-temple) The protagonist, a young and innocent girl whose story of seduction and downfall is introduced. ### [I: A Boarding School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-i-a-boarding-school) A young schoolgirl, now fourteen, who blushes upon seeing Montraville and receives a letter from him. ### [Such Things Are](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-v-such-things-are) The daughter of Henry and Lucy Temple, born after their happy retirement, and later sent to Madame Du Pont's school. ### [An Intriguing Teacher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-vi-an-intriguing-teacher) Accompanies Mademoiselle La Rue to a secret meeting, feels disgusted by the gentlemen's behavior, but is captivated by Montraville's letter and appearance. ### [VII: Natural Sense of Propriety Inherent in the Female Bosom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-vii-natural-sense-of-propriety-inherent-in-the-female-bosom) Charlotte struggles with her sense of propriety after the evening's events, but is ultimately persuaded by La Rue to read Montraville's letter and agree to a secret meeting. ### [VIII: Domestic Pleasures Planned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-viii-domestic-pleasures-planned) The subject of the birthday plan, described as a grateful and affectionate daughter. ### [IX: We Know Not What a Day May Bring Forth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-ix-we-know-not-what-a-day-may-bring-forth) Agitated and conflicted, she resolves to end the affair but is swayed by Montraville's eloquence. ### [X: When We Have Excited Curiosity, It Is but an Act of Good Nature to Gratify It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-x-when-we-have-excited-curiosity-it-is-but-an-act-of-good-nature-to-gratify-it) Discussed in terms of her fortune and family situation; not directly present. ### [XI: Conflict of Love and Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xi-conflict-of-love-and-duty) Torn between love and filial duty, she reluctantly agrees to elope with Montraville despite her conscience. ### [XII: “How Thou Art Fall’n!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xii-how-thou-art-fall-n) Torn between duty and love, she initially resolves to reject Montraville after reading her mother's letter, but is swayed by La Rue's manipulation and Montraville's desperate entreaties, ultimately eloping. ### [XIII: Cruel Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xiii-cruel-disappointment) Missing from the school; has eloped with Montraville under La Rue's influence. ### [XIV: Maternal Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-maternal-sorrow) Referenced as the absent daughter who has eloped, causing her parents' anguish. ### [XV: Embarkation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xv-embarkation) Writes a letter to her parents seeking forgiveness, but Montraville destroys it; she hopes for a reply before the fleet sails. ### [XVI: Necessary Digression](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xvi-necessary-digression) Suffers from fatigue and sickness during the voyage, confined to bed, but sustained by Montraville's attention and hope of hearing from her parents. ### [A Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xvii-a-wedding) Charlotte is astonished and troubled by La Rue's impending marriage to Crayton, which forces her to reflect on her own vulnerable position with Montraville. ### [XVIII: Reflections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii-reflections) Reflects on her fall from grace, her isolation, and her longing for her parents and a virtuous friend. ### [XIX: A Mistake Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xix-a-mistake-discovered) Waits for Montraville, unaware of his growing feelings for Julia; she tends to him when he visits, sensing his distress. ### [XX: Virtue—When Most Amiable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xx-virtue-when-most-amiable) Awakens to find Montraville gone and a note that devastates her; she struggles between despair and hope, then is further tormented by Belcour's insinuations. ### [Another's Woe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxi-another-s-woe) Charlotte is visited by Mrs. Beauchamp, confesses her sorrow and regret, and expresses a desperate wish to return to her parents. ### [XXII: Sorrows of the Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii-sorrows-of-the-heart) Writes a tearful letter to her mother, confessing her guilt, regret, and pregnancy, and pleading for forgiveness. ### [XXIII: A Man May Smile, and Smile, and Be a Villain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiii-a-man-may-smile-and-smile-and-be-a-villain) Awakens to find Montraville accusing her of infidelity; she protests her innocence and clings to him, but is ultimately abandoned. ### [Mystery Developed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiv-mystery-developed) Falls asleep exhausted; is discovered by Montraville lying beside Belcour, leading to her being spurned and left in despair. ### [XXV: Reception of a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv-reception-of-a-letter) Sends a penitent letter to her parents, expressing a wish to return home. ### [XXVI: What Might Be Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvi-what-might-be-expected) The injured and seduced girl to whom Montraville writes a remorseful farewell letter, though she remains unaware of his marriage and provision. ### [XXVII: “Like a Fair Lily”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvii-like-a-fair-lily) Charlotte is deeply melancholic, physically weakened by grief and weeping, and devastated by the news of Montraville's marriage. She expresses a desire to die and is left alone in sickness and penury. ### [XXVIII: A Trifling Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxviii-a-trifling-retrospect) Referenced as the hapless girl whose fate evokes sympathy and whose story serves as a moral warning. ### [XXIX: We Go Forward Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxix-we-go-forward-again) Recovering from illness but depressed; reduced to one guinea and in debt; evicted by the farmer's wife. ### [XXX: “Friendship a Name”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxx-friendship-a-name) Charlotte writes a desperate letter to Mrs. Crayton and ventures into the snow to seek aid, learning of Montraville's marriage to Julia Franklin. ### [Subject Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxi-subject-continued) Charlotte, in a state of extreme distress, begs Mrs. Crayton for shelter, is rejected, collapses, and later gives birth to a daughter. ### [Reasons Why and Wherefore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxii-reasons-why-and-wherefore) Lies insensible and delirious, raving about Montraville and her mother, unaware of her newborn child, and rapidly sinking under her illness. ### [XXXIII: Which People Void of Feeling Need Not Read](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxiii-which-people-void-of-feeling-need-not-read) Dying in poverty and illness, she experiences delirium, then repentance, and finally a peaceful death after reuniting with her father. ### [Retribution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxiv-retribution) Buried in a pauper's grave; her tragic fate is revealed through the soldier's account and Montraville's grief. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/endnotes) Her house in New York is identified; her daughter Lucy Temple is mentioned. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/charlotte_temple - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters