Letter 4, Heloise to Abelard Summary and Analysis

Heloise is disappointed that Abelard has disregarded custom in his letter writing and only poured grief and worry on her and the nuns. Extreme distress will prevent them from praying for him and their souls will lose their powers of reason. She begs Abelard to spare them more grief. Heloise has no hope without Abelard and her only pleasure now is knowing that he is alive. She is the most wretched of all women.

Heloise is not only upset, however. She is indignant with God for punishing them after they atoned for their sins of fornication. Abelard is no longer an adulterer and had paid the penalty with castration and she cannot imagine why she is suffering. But she does thank God that the tempter did not succeed in getting her to do wrong. Heloise...