Original Text(~250 words)
I am a man, So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, That I would set my life on any chance, To mend it, or be rid ou't. When once sordid interest seizes on the heart, it freezes up the source of every warm and liberal feeling; it is an enemy alike to virtue and to taste--_this_ it perverts, and _that_ it annihilates. The time may come, my friend, when death shall dissolve the sinews of avarice, and justice be permitted to resume her rights. Such were the words of the Advocate Nemours to Pierre de la Motte, as the latter stept at midnight into the carriage which was to bear him far from Paris, from his creditors and the persecution of the laws. De la Motte thanked him for this last instance of his kindness; the assistance he had given him in escape; and, when the carriage drove away, uttered a sad adieu! The gloom of the hour, and the peculiar emergency of his circumstances, sunk him in silent reverie. Whoever has read Gayot de Pitaval, the most faithful of those writers who record the proceedings in the Parliamentary Courts of Paris during the seventeenth century, must surely remember the striking story of Pierre de la Motte and the Marquess Philippe de Montalt: let all such, therefore, be informed, that the person here introduced to their notice was that individual Pierre de la Motte. As Madame de la Motte leaned from the coach window, and gave a last look to...
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Summary
Pierre de la Motte flees Paris at midnight with his wife and servants, escaping creditors and legal troubles that have destroyed his fortune and reputation. A man of weak character who let passion override judgment, he's lost everything through gambling and poor financial schemes. When their carriage gets lost on a dark heath, La Motte seeks help at an isolated house, only to be imprisoned by mysterious ruffians. The situation takes an unexpected turn when the criminals force him to take custody of Adeline, a beautiful eighteen-year-old girl they're holding captive. Rather than harm him, they essentially kidnap him into becoming her protector, threatening death if he returns within an hour. The terrified La Motte agrees and escapes with Adeline, reuniting with his wife who shows immediate compassion for the mysterious young woman. As they continue their journey, Adeline falls seriously ill with fever, forcing the family to delay their escape for several days while she recovers. Her gentle nature and obvious refinement puzzle La Motte - her elegance seems impossible given her circumstances. Once recovered, they resume traveling toward the forest of Fontanville, seeking a route to Lyon where La Motte hopes to find permanent refuge. The chapter establishes the central mystery of Adeline's identity while showing how crisis can reveal both our weaknesses and our capacity for unexpected kindness.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Advocate
In 18th century France, a lawyer who represented clients in court, especially in criminal cases. They were part of the educated professional class and often had connections that could help people navigate legal troubles.
Modern Usage:
Today we'd call this a defense attorney or criminal lawyer who helps people facing charges.
Creditors
People or institutions who are owed money by someone in debt. In this period, unpaid debts could lead to imprisonment, making creditors powerful enemies who could destroy someone's life.
Modern Usage:
Like collection agencies, credit card companies, or loan sharks who pursue people who can't pay their bills.
Sordid interest
Greed or obsession with money that corrupts a person's character. Radcliffe suggests that when people become consumed with getting rich, they lose their ability to feel compassion or appreciate beauty.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who become so focused on making money that they lose sight of family, ethics, or what really matters.
Parliamentary Courts of Paris
The highest courts in France before the Revolution, where serious criminal cases were tried. These courts had the power of life and death, and their proceedings were often recorded for posterity.
Modern Usage:
Similar to our Supreme Court or federal court system where major criminal cases are decided.
Refinement
Elegant manners, speech, and behavior that showed someone was raised in upper-class society. In this era, your social class was supposed to be obvious from how you acted and spoke.
Modern Usage:
Like someone who clearly grew up with money - they have a certain way of carrying themselves that shows their background.
Ruffians
Violent criminals or bandits who lived outside the law. In remote areas like forests, they could operate with little fear of authorities catching them.
Modern Usage:
Gang members, organized crime figures, or any criminals who use violence and intimidation to get what they want.
Characters in This Chapter
Pierre de la Motte
Protagonist in crisis
A weak man fleeing Paris after gambling and bad investments destroyed his life. When forced to protect Adeline, he shows he's capable of decency despite his failures.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who lost everything day-trading and had to file bankruptcy
Madame de la Motte
Supportive wife
La Motte's wife who stands by him despite his mistakes. She immediately shows kindness to Adeline, revealing her compassionate nature even in their desperate situation.
Modern Equivalent:
The loyal spouse who sticks with their partner through financial ruin
Adeline
Mysterious victim
An eighteen-year-old girl held captive by criminals but clearly from an upper-class background. Her identity is the central mystery, and her refined nature puzzles everyone.
Modern Equivalent:
The well-educated young woman found in a trafficking situation
Advocate Nemours
Helpful friend
The lawyer who helps La Motte escape Paris, showing loyalty to his friend despite the risk to his own reputation.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who helps you move out in the middle of the night when you're in trouble
The Ruffians
Mysterious antagonists
Criminals who capture La Motte but then force him to take custody of Adeline rather than harm him. Their motives remain unclear, creating suspense.
Modern Equivalent:
Gang members or organized crime figures with their own hidden agenda
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when people with power dump unwanted burdens onto those least able to refuse.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone frames additional work as recognition of your special qualities—ask yourself if you're being chosen for your skills or your vulnerability.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"When once sordid interest seizes on the heart, it freezes up the source of every warm and liberal feeling"
Context: Nemours warns La Motte about how greed destroys people as he helps him escape
This establishes the novel's theme about how obsession with money corrupts the soul. It's also ironic since La Motte's financial crimes are what forced him to flee.
In Today's Words:
Once you become obsessed with money, you stop caring about other people or anything else that matters
"The gloom of the hour, and the peculiar emergency of his circumstances, sunk him in silent reverie"
Context: Describes La Motte's mood as he flees Paris at midnight
Sets the Gothic atmosphere while showing La Motte's psychological state. The darkness outside mirrors his inner despair and uncertainty about the future.
In Today's Words:
The dark night and his desperate situation left him lost in worried thoughts
"Her elegant form and dignified countenance seemed to indicate a mind cultivated and a heart refined"
Context: Describing Adeline's appearance and manner when she recovers from illness
This quote deepens the mystery of Adeline's identity. Her obvious upper-class breeding contrasts with her captive situation, making everyone wonder who she really is.
In Today's Words:
Everything about her showed she was educated and came from a good family
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Forced Responsibility - When Crisis Makes You a Protector
How crisis situations transfer unwanted responsibility to those least able to refuse it, creating reluctant guardians.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Adeline's obvious refinement puzzles La Motte—her elegance seems impossible given her captive circumstances, suggesting hidden aristocratic origins
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might notice how people judge your worth by your current circumstances rather than your actual background or potential
Identity
In This Chapter
Adeline's true identity remains mysterious while La Motte's identity shifts from debtor to reluctant protector
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might find your sense of self changing when circumstances force you into new roles you never chose
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Madame La Motte immediately shows compassion to Adeline, fulfilling expected feminine nurturing role despite their desperate situation
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to be the 'caring one' even when you're struggling with your own problems
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
La Motte's weak character led to his downfall, but crisis forces him to make decisions about protecting someone more vulnerable
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might discover that your biggest failures can become the foundation for unexpected strength and purpose
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Strangers become a makeshift family unit through shared crisis, with genuine care developing despite the forced circumstances
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might find that some of your strongest bonds form with people you met during your most difficult times
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Adeline's story...
Adeline thought her first semester was finally stabilizing when her dorm RA Marcus got arrested for dealing. Campus housing called her at midnight—they needed someone to temporarily supervise the floor until they could reassign staff. Why her? She was 'mature for her age' and 'good with people,' they said. What they meant was: she was a foster kid with no family to complain to, already working work-study to pay for textbooks, desperate enough to take the extra responsibility for a small stipend. Now she's fielding crisis calls from homesick freshmen, breaking up fights, and dealing with parents who assume she's just another student. The other RAs on campus treat her like she's playing dress-up. Meanwhile, she's getting strange messages from someone claiming to know about her 'real family'—messages that intensify after she takes the position. She can't shake the feeling that being chosen for this role wasn't random, that someone wanted her visible and vulnerable.
The Road
The road La Motte walked in 1791, Adeline walks today. The pattern is identical: desperate people become perfect targets for unwanted responsibility transfer, chosen not for their strength but for their inability to refuse.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for recognizing when you're being selected as a convenient solution to someone else's problem. Adeline can use it to identify the difference between genuine opportunity and exploitation disguised as trust.
Amplification
Before reading this, Adeline might have felt honored to be chosen and confused by the strange messages. Now she can NAME it as responsibility dumping, PREDICT that more problems will follow, and NAVIGATE by setting boundaries and questioning why she was really selected.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What forces La Motte to take responsibility for Adeline, and why can't he refuse?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do the criminals choose La Motte specifically to become Adeline's protector rather than handling the situation themselves?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'responsibility dumping' in workplaces, families, or communities today?
application • medium - 4
If you were in La Motte's position - desperate and vulnerable - how would you handle being forced into unwanted responsibility?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how people with power use others' desperation to solve their own problems?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Responsibility Transfers
Think about the last month at work or home. List three times someone asked you to handle something that wasn't originally your job or problem. For each situation, identify: Who had the power to say no but didn't? Who was desperate or available enough to get stuck with it? What made you the 'logical' choice?
Consider:
- •Notice whether you were chosen for your skills or your inability to refuse
- •Look for patterns in who gets assigned extra responsibilities
- •Consider whether the person asking could have handled it themselves
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you were forced to take on someone else's responsibility. How did it affect you, and what would you do differently now that you recognize this pattern?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 2: Finding Sanctuary in Ruins
The coming pages reveal to find possibility within seemingly hopeless circumstances, and teach us the power of adaptability when facing unexpected challenges. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.