Adeline as Damsel in Distress

One of the requirements of the Gothic novel is a female character that acts as a damsel in distress. Adeline, the heroine of Romance of the Forest, fits the description of this damsel in distress. At the end of the novel, however, Adeline transforms from this typical damsel in distress as she gains affluence. In the conclusion of the novel, she uses her new found affluence to save Theodore, the hero who intended to save her, from a sentence of death.

Adeline first appears as an unwanted, miserable but beautiful young lady who refuses even to talk about her history to the people who have agreed to take her in. Even with the La Mottes Adeline again finds herself in a distressing situation. La Motte has promised Adeline in marriage to a man she does not love. Both Theodore and Peter attempt to save...