The Tragic Hero In Susanna Rowson's Charlotte Temple

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As a cautionary tale, Charlotte Temple serves as a novel that teaches a moral lesson. As a seduction novel, Charlotte separates herself from the security of her family and ends up in desolation. In her novel, Susanna Rowson demonstrates that Charlotte plays an active role in her downfall because she is not able to make decisions for herself. Rowson’s goal was to prevent girls from making the same mistakes as Charlotte. Her purpose was to teach young girls to be cautious and think for themselves so that they do not face the same fate. Rowson takes time to describe the character traits of Charlotte’s parents to demonstrate the environment that Charlotte was raised in. Mr. Temple decided to marry Lucy Eldridge rather than marrying Miss Weatherby. …show more content…

In contrast to Lucy Temple, Charlotte’s mother, La Rue was cunning, selfish, and manipulative. As Charlotte spent time with La Rue going to meet Montraville and Belcour, she constantly questions whether she should be accompanying her friend or not. Initially, she will conclude that it is a bad idea, but eventually comes along anyway. Sometimes, La Rue played a hand in persuading Charlotte to come, but others Charlotte would plan that the visit would be her last, but continue anyway. A turning point in the beginning of the novel occurs when La Rue convinces Charlotte to read Montraville’s letter. At first, Charlotte is hesitant, stating that her mother told her to let her read through letters from men before reading it herself. La Rue quickly dismisses this by exaggerating the absurdity of Charlotte’s notion. Once she read the letter, “Charlotte had taken one step in the ways of imprudence; and when that is once done, there are always innumerable obstacles to prevent the erring person returning to the path of rectitude” (Rowson 29). In making this decision, Charlotte already knew that she should not read the letter. This event serves as the beginning to Charlotte’s

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