# Mrs. Temple — Charlotte Temple character guide

> Mrs. Temple in Charlotte Temple by Susanna Haswell Rowson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Temple, poor Mrs. Temple

**First appearance:** 0004-volume-i-ii-domestic-concerns

## Snapshot

Charlotte's devoted mother, whose tender warnings and grief-stricken devotion frame the novel's moral heart and its portrait of parental love betrayed.

## Who they are

Mrs. Temple raises Charlotte with affection and careful instruction, only to watch her daughter slip beyond the reach of both. Her sorrow runs through the book as a counterweight to Charlotte's ruin, and her later care for her granddaughter Lucy keeps the family's tenderness alive. She embodies the domestic virtue the novel holds up against the world of seduction and vanity.

## In the story

### [Charlotte Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/charlotte-temple)

Charlotte's loving mother, whose grief and worry for her daughter are foreshadowed.

### [VIII: Domestic Pleasures Planned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-viii-domestic-pleasures-planned)

Proposes a birthday surprise for Charlotte, demonstrating her maternal affection and wifely submission.

### [XI: Conflict of Love and Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xi-conflict-of-love-and-duty)

Mentioned as the beloved mother Charlotte fears to hurt by her actions.

### [XII: “How Thou Art Fall’n!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xii-how-thou-art-fall-n)

Her loving letter inviting Charlotte home for her birthday serves as a catalyst for Charlotte's brief moment of repentance.

### [XIV: Maternal Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-maternal-sorrow)

Experiences hysterical grief upon learning of Charlotte's elopement and prays fervently for her daughter.

### [XV: Embarkation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xv-embarkation)

Grieves for Charlotte but resolves to appear cheerful to support her husband and father.

### [XXII: Sorrows of the Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii-sorrows-of-the-heart)

The recipient of Charlotte's letter, addressed with deep love and remorse.

### [XXV: Reception of a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv-reception-of-a-letter)

Receives Charlotte's letter, is overcome with emotion, and writes a consoling reply; struggles between maternal and conjugal duty.

### [XXIX: We Go Forward Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxix-we-go-forward-again)

Charlotte's mother; Charlotte imagines her heart may be broken by her conduct.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxv-conclusion)

Devotes herself to raising her granddaughter, finding solace in her resemblance to Charlotte.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/mrs_temple
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters