Mathilda

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

15238

Title

Mathilda

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's poignant novelette explores the tragic aftermath of a father's forbidden passion for his daughter. Told through a letter of confession and the daughter's subsequent grief, the story delves into themes of guilt, isolation, and the destructive power of unnatural love. With a lyrical, melancholic tone reminiscent of her father's poetry, this text offers a profound meditation on sorrow, the burden of innocence, and the desperate search for redemption in a world marked by personal and societal pain.

Summary up to 500 words

In Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's haunting narrative, *Mathilda*, a young woman's life is irrevocably altered by her father's secret, guilty passion for her. The story begins with the father's desperate letter, in which he confesses his inability to control his feelings, viewing them as a monstrous sin that has corrupted his child and destroyed his soul. He announces his banishment, leaving Mathilda orphaned and emotionally shattered. The narrative then shifts to Mathilda's perspective, detailing her profound isolation. She feels marked by a supernatural curse, believing her very presence brings misfortune and that she is a creature set apart from humanity. Her grief is compounded by the memory of her mother's death and the realization that her father's love was a source of her own pollution. She wanders a desolate landscape, haunted by visions and the fear that she is a living pestilence. Enter Woodville, a friend who arrives to offer solace. He represents hope and reason, arguing against suicide and despair. He speaks of the duty to live for the good of others and the possibility of finding joy again. Through his influence, Mathilda experiences a fleeting moment of calm and a return of hope, though her deep-seated sorrow remains. The story captures the intense psychological turmoil of a young woman grappling with the consequences of her father's actions and her own perceived sinfulness. It is a tale of exquisite beauty and devastating sadness, examining the limits of parental love and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Woodville urges Mathilda not to despair, arguing that even if one cannot be happy for oneself, one must live to bestow happiness on others. He suggests that the efforts of the virtuous can free future generations from the burdens of the present. Despite his efforts, Mathilda's sense of pollution intensifies; she believes she is cursed and unfit for human society. The narrative explores the destructive power of forbidden love and the tragic isolation that follows when societal norms are violated, leaving Mathilda to face her grief alone until the end.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Psychology
• Fiction
• Family Relationships