In the 18th century, when Charlotte Temple was written, societys ideas about women, love, and obligations were extremely different from views Women did not have many rights, and societymade them think that their place in life was to marry well. They werenot supposed to have desires or hopes for an amazing kind of love. Theywere merely supposed to marry the man who their families intended themto marry, and live their lives being a dutiful wife and mother. Lovehad a similar essence in the 1700s. It was not looked at as beingessential to a relationship; convenience and social status was moreimportant than love in an 18th century marriage. Finally, socialobligations were almost completely opposite then to what they are now. As opposed to 20th century obligations to the self, education, andwealth, the 18th century focused more on social status and family, andnot so many personal or independent obligations. (Eighteenth) InCharlotte Temple, a radical idea concerning a breakdown of social norms,and a restructuring of important obligations was presented. Familialand social responsibilities seemed to take a backseat to Charlottes(and other characters) independent and personal lives. For this reason,Charlotte Temple was a revolutionary novel that gave people in the 18thcentury a new way of looking at life. It emphasized love and emotions,while disregarding normal cultural ideas. In the beginning of the novel, familial or social obligations weretold through the stories of Mr. Temple, Charlotte, and La Rue. Thenarrator remarked that Mr. Temples brother was made completelywretched by marrying a disagreeable woman, whose fortune helped to propthe sinking dignity of the house, and his sisters both married old menfor their social status. The narrator commented on how their marriageswere productive in the sense that the family name was held in highregard, yet the actual participants in the marriages were miserable(854). Temple recognized t...
