Hello friend!
I have brought you a new blog
post today. Happy reading!
[WARNING: this contains MAJOR spoilers]
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a
historical fiction novel by Baroness Emma Orczy. It’s set during the gory
French Revolution; just when it looks like Madame Guillotine is going to wipe
out the entire aristocracy, a dashing knight in shining armour appears to save
them [ No, I’m exaggerating. The “dashing”
part is true, though. To the majority of the aristocrats, their saviour is an
angel, not a knight.] I’ve read loads of books, and I gotta say—I absolutely
love this book. I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction in general, since some
authors take it a bit too far, but this rule doesn’t apply to Scarlet Pimpernel
[hahaha.] The characters and plot are extremely well developed; Marguerite
Blakeney [nee St. Just], the lead female, is my favourite character. Initially,
she’s portrayed as superficial, bitingly sarcastic, and a little snobbish, but
her interactions with her brother Armand, the main antagonist Chauvelin, and
her husband Sir Percy Blakeney reveal a much softer, more vulnerable side of
her. She comes off as a strong, intelligent, loyal woman; after all, she saves
the day in the climax! The cunning and ruthless Chauvelin is also one of the
author’s greatest creations. Oh, and how can I forget Percy? He’s my second favourite
character.
Marguerite St. Just, who has been
dubbed “the cleverest woman in Europe”, is now married to the biggest fool in
England, the foppish, lazy Sir Percy Blakeney, a baronet. Just a day before
their marriage, Marguerite took revenge on the Marquis de St. Cyr, who had
ordered her brother, Armand, to be beaten for his romantic interest in the
Marquis’ daughter. Marguerite revealed
the Marquis’ location to some republicans; this, of course, led to his and his
family’s deaths at the guillotine. This shocked Marguerite, who’d never expected
something so gruesome to happen; the republicans had promised her that they
wouldn’t harm the Marquis. How naïve she was! When Percy found out about her
role in the Marquis’ death, he lost every bit of affection he had for her, and
refused to speak to her. Marguerite, for her part, began treating him with
outward contempt. In the present,
Marguerite and Percy arrive at the Fisherman’s Rest, a small inn in Dover. Two
aristocrats discuss the daring exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel, the man whose
name causes the republicans to shudder.
Marguerite is entranced by their stories. Shortly after, she meets with
her brother, Armand St. Just, who has defected from the republican side. This is
where I started liking her; she clearly loves and respects her brother, but
also establishes the fact that she’s her own person. It is revealed that the Scarlet Pimpernel
commands a band of nineteen men, two of whom [Sir Andrew Ffoulkes and Sir Antony
Dewhurst] are also staying at the Fisherman’s Rest. The Scarlet Pimpernel takes
his name from the small red flower he draws on his messages. Despite being the
talk of London society, only his followers and the Prince of Wales [lucky man!]
know his true identity. At a ball
attended by the Blakeneys, Marguerite runs into an old acquaintance, Chauvelin,
a prominent figure in the French Revolution; she is repulsed by him and refuses
to talk to him, but he arrests her by quietly insinuating that he is aware of
Armand’s treachery and, if she wishes to save her precious brother’s life, she
must find the Scarlet Pimpernel and hand him over to Chauvelin. With her
brother’s life in her delicate hands, she reluctantly agrees; she does not want
to place the Scarlet Pimpernel in mortal peril, but has no other choice.
She manages to pass on crucial
information about the Scarlet Pimpernel, which helps Chauvelin learn the man’s identity. Horrified at the danger that has been wrought
by her, she turns to Percy for comfort, hysterically stating that she has sent
an incredibly brave and selfless man to his death. After putting all the pieces
together, Percy promises to save Armand’s life. He reveals that his love for her never died;
it was simply asleep. She quietly responds that she was too proud to express
her own affection for him [ I have mixed feelings about these two fools. They
really need to look up the exact meaning of “communication”.] The next morning, Percy unexpectedly leaves
for France; soon after, Marguerite discovers to her great consternation [and
simultaneous delight] that Percy Blakeney, the long-legged, droopy-eyed Englishman,
is the Scarlet Pimpernel. [Are you surprised? I wasn’t. To be frank, I’d
expected this kind of earth-shattering revelation. She literally sold her own husband
to the devil, but I don’t exactly blame her, considering her circumstances. I
wasn’t a bit pleased with her, though. It’s what she does next that impressed
me.] Desperate to save her husband, she impulsively decides to pursue Percy and
warn him of the impending danger [Chauvelin knows his identity and his purpose.]
She persuades Sir Andrew Ffoulkes to accompany her, but due to bad weather,
neither they nor Chauvelin can leave England immediately. [See? She’s impressive,
right? Her plan is poorly thought out, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. She’s
the true star of this book.]
Chauvelin reaches France [Calais,
in particular] ahead of Marguerite and Ffoulkes, and takes up residence in a
filthy inn, Chat Gris. Percy openly approaches him there, offering him a pinch
of snuff; the unsuspecting Frenchman willingly accepts. Unbeknownst to him, Percy
had actually given him pure pepper [oh,
dear. Oh, dear. I loved this scene.] Poor Chauvelin begins sneezing violently;
Percy calmly walks out of the inn. Chauvelin’s secretary informs him that the
Scarlet Pimpernel was spotted near a hut called Pere Blanchard’s Hut; however,
when the republicans reach there, they discover [to their horror, shock and
rage] that Percy has freed all their hostages [including Armand St. Just and
Comte de Tournay, the father of Marguerite’s childhood friend, Suzanne.]
Meanwhile, Marguerite resolutely pursues Percy till the end, determined to save
him even if it means sacrificing herself for his sake. Ffoulkes, who has never
seen Lady Blakeney all fired up, compliments her, stating that he has never met
a more courageous and devoted woman. Percy, disguised as an old Jew, Reuben, is
captured by Chauvelin. However, the “wily” republican does not recognise him
[wily, sure. He doesn’t recognise an enemy when he sees one, huh?]. Percy slips
right through his slimy fingers.
With Marguerite’s love and
courage amply proven, Percy’s ardour is rekindled. Safely back on their yacht,
the Day Dreamer, the happily reconciled couple return to England. Ffoulkes marries
Suzanne. Happily ever after! It’s a matter of opinion, but I find
Marguerite to be more heroic than Percy. It’s a well-known fact that the
Scarlet Pimpernel rescues aristocrats, but a woman who has been in the lap of
luxury all her life and doesn’t know much about combat and rescue missions and
complicated stuff like that clashing with a merciless enemy in order to rescue
an innocent man—now that’s what I call true heroism. That’s all for now. See you next time…
Thank you!
I hope you liked my article!
Thank you! I hope you liked my
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