The Mysteries of Udolpho Lesson Plan

As a single woman, what sort of pressure does Emily find herself under?

Clearly, as a single woman, Emily is going to be constantly in peril from unwanted and self-interested suitors. Du Pont seems to be an entirely kind and well-intentioned man who truly loves Emily, but he still poses a risk as a man whom Emily would be unhappy with, since her heart belongs to Valancourt.

Because he is a good man, there is an even greater risk that Emily might simply give in and agree to marry him. Count de Villefort is also subtly exerting pressure, and his positive and kind influence is almost more insidious than the cruel manipulations of Montoni. Emily has been lost and adrift...