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Volume 1, Chapter 12
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
Madame Cheron proposes terms to Valancourt for if he wants to marry Emily. She has discussions with Madame Clairval that Emily herself knows nothing about. Madame Cheron hurries to arrange a speedy wedding, all while her own relationship with Montoni starts to become public knowledge. One day, Madame Cheron surprises Emily by saying that she and Montoni have just gotten married that morning.
The main mystery in this chapter is Montoni and his intentions with Madame Cheron. Although Madame Cheron finally supports a relationship between Emily and Valancourt, she seems preoccupied by Montoni, and her rush to get Emily and Valancourt settled suggests that she might also have a selfish motive.
Themes
Montoni takes control of Madame Cheron’s (now Madame Montoni) chateau and offers some rooms to Cavigni. There’s a celebration for the wedding, using the decorations that were originally supposed to be for Emily and Valancourt’s wedding, and it is the first and last celebration Montoni holds at the chateau. A few weeks later, Madame Montoni tells Emily that she, Montoni, and Emily will all be going to Montoni’s home in Venice. Emily is horrified because she doesn’t want to leave Valancourt, but Madame Montoni says it will be simple to contact Madame Clairval and tell her the wedding is no more. When Emily asks why Madame Montoni changed her mind so quickly, Madame Montoni simply says that Montoni forbids the marriage, believing Emily can do better.
Although Madame Montoni (previously Madame Cheron) chose Montoni because he presented himself as a wealthy Italian, his early actions make it seem as if perhaps things are the other way around, with him as the one trying to advance his position through marriage. Madame Montoni wanted to secure a new husband, but now that she’s actually married, she finds that she has to follow Montoni’s will, suggesting that she, as a woman, actually loses power by marrying. It’s unclear at first why Montoni doesn’t want Emily to marry Valancourt, but Madame Montoni’s indifference to Emily’s feelings on the matter once again shows how Madame Montoni acts selfishly.
Themes
Valancourt hears the news and comes over to visit Emily. He wants to speak to Montoni, but Montoni is away. Madame Montoni sees Emily and Valancourt and gets angry. She refuses to let Valancourt see Montoni. Valancourt keeps trying to see Montoni over the course of several days, but he keeps getting refused. All the while, Montoni seems anxious to leave France.
Madame Montoni’s quick reversal on Valancourt shows how people who only care about wealth can be fickle. By contrast, Emily’s faith and discipline causes her to love Valancourt no matter what his financial situation seems to be. Montoni’s anxiety to leave France deepens the mystery over what he really wants from his new wife.
Themes
Denied entry the chateau, Valancourt begins hanging around outside, where one day Emily is surprised to see him. Valancourt despairs about how when Emily is away in Italy, she’ll forget all about him, but Emily reassures him that would never happen. Valancourt proposes an immediate marriage the next morning. Hearing this, Emily is deeply conflicted, but ultimately decides that a hasty wedding might cause problems for both of them. Valancourt begins to cry.
Emily is so selfless that she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness in order to please Madame Montoni (which she still believes is what St. Aubert wanted her to do). Although Valancourt seems to be a more virtuous character than Madame Montoni, Emily sides with her aunt out of loyalty and duty, illustrating how important those values are to her.
Themes
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Valancourt says he has heard a rumor that Montoni might not be a relative of Madame Quesnel, meaning he might not be as wealthy as he seems. Emily seems alarmed but says she has no reason to doubt that Montoni’s claims about himself are true. Valancourt keeps urging Emily to both consider his love and investigate Montoni, but Emily reluctantly believes it is her duty to refuse both requests. The two part in tears.
The rumors that Valancourt heard could explain why Montoni’s behavior has been so mysterious since getting married. Although the novel presents Emily as always being virtuous, this passage still raises an interesting moral dilemma, questioning whether Emily’s devotion to doing her duty is noble or whether it is leading her and her aunt into potential ruin.
Themes
