Elective Affinities; Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part II, Chapters 15-18 Summary

Part II, Chapters 15-18 Summary

Baby Otto is the first person to be buried in the new chapel. As Charlotte and Ottilie grieve, they try their best to avoid hurting each other's feelings. Charlotte encourages Ottilie to go to Edward, but now Ottilie is determined to renounce Edward forever. Although Charlotte would consent to Edward marrying Ottilie, she knows that Ottilie no longer wants that. Charlotte points out that it is much easier to renounce someone who is far away, than someone in the same room, and she worries that Ottilie will cave if Edward comes back. Charlotte asks Ottilie to promise that she will never see or speak to Edward again, if she really feels this way. Ottilie promises and then announces that she wants to go back to school and someday be a teacher there. She does not, however, intend to marry her instructor, even though he...
(read more)