How does the theme of loneliness work in Charity?Please talk about the effect of loneliness on Charity.

Charity Royall, in Edith Wharton's novel
Summer, feels loneliness in many different aspects of her
life.

First, her guardian, Lawyer Royell, alienates her
because of her detest at his advances. She is not interested in her guardian at all and,
once she tells him, he begins to leave her more often. This advance is ironic given the
fact that they had lived under the same roof for years and, basically, ignored each
other.

Another example of Charity and loneliness appears
when the Mountain is brought up. Charity had come from the Mountain. Given that she must
live with Lawyer Royell in North Dormer, she cannot connect to her heritage, her true
home. This, too, forces Charity to feel alone.

Once Charity
meets Lucius Harney her life changes. At the end of the relationship with Harney,
Charity finds herself abandoned and pregnant. Once again, Charity is
alone.

While the entire novel depicts Charity as searching
for independence, her need to feel comfort and stability outweigh all
else.