What Goes Around, Comes Around

As I read the ending of Charlotte Temple, the idea of karma immediately came to my mind. In today’s world, the phrase, “what goes around, comes around” seems to come true more often than not. As I was reading the story, I was somewhat annoyed as to how Charlotte continuously was punished and suffered emotional distress due to her vices. However, Mademoiselle La Rue, who was the main culprit who actually led Charlotte into this life of misery, did not seem to suffer any such pain. She lived a life of immoral choices but seemingly, in the end, lived a lavish life as Mrs. Crayton. The same goes for Montraville and Belcour, who both seemed to continue with their lives while Charlotte suffered alone.

However, as the story played out, this karma came into play. All of the characters seemed to suffer some of the consequences of their vices. Rowson even suggests that Mrs. Crayton had the possibility of a happier life if she would not have turned poor, helpless Charlotte away when she was in most need. She could have somehow bribed Charlotte into not confessing her evils and they both would have been better off. Instead, her selfishness in the situation partially caused her downfall in the end.

These vices, however, do not necessarily lead to a life of poverty and misery, but instead of emotional distress and guilt. This phenomenon is especially true in the case of Montraville. Montraville does seem to live out a happy life with Julia, but he continues to suffer from the guilt he feels about hurting Charlotte. Rowson seems to use this novel to make a direct correlation between one’s immoral choices and their eventual fate.

One should attempt to live out their lives morally, such as the characters that Mr. and Mrs. Temple and Mrs. Beauchamp suggest. Although their lives were far from glamorous, they did not need to suffer the guilt from their vices. I think one of Rowson’s overall goals of the story was show women the importance and significance of one’s family. Due to Charlotte’s naiveness and ignorance, if she were to have followed the advice from her family, she would not have been caught up in this downward spiral.