The Mysteries of Udolpho-Gothic romance, complete with incidents of
physical and psychological terror; remote, crumbling castles; seemingly supernatural events; a brooding, scheming villain; and a persecuted heroine. -Set in 1584 in southern France and northern Italy -the novel focuses on Emily St. Aubert, an orphan. Emily is imprisoned in the castle Udolpho by Signor Montoni, who has married her aunt and guardian Madame Cheron. Emily's romance with Valancourt is troubled by Montoni and others. Emily also investigates the mysterious relationship between her father and the Marchioness de Villeroi, and its connection to the castle at Udolpho. Emily and her father share a close bond, and share the appreciation for nature. On a grand tour with her father they encounter Valancourt, a handsome man who also is in touch with the natural world. They fall in love and her father dies. Emily has to live with her aunt, Madame Cheron, who shares none of Emily's interests and shows little affection to her. Her aunt marries Montoni, who wants to marry Emily to Count Morano,. After discovering that Morano is nearly ruined he brings Emily and his wife to his remote castle of Udolpho. Emily refuses to run away with Morano when he attempts to save her as she is still in love with Valancourt. Morano's motives are to acquire Madame Cheron's estate which will belong to Emily after she dies. Many frightening but coincidental events happen within the castle, but Emily is able to escape because of her secret admirer Du Pont, who was a prisoner at Udolpho, and the servants Annette and Ludovico. In the end she takes control of the property and is reunited with Valancourt. |