The Scarlet Pimpernel by: Baroness Orczy

The Scarlet Pimpernel

267 pages

The Scarlet Pimpernel is an eighteenth century novel that takes place in England and France during the French Revolution. The story takes places during the months September and October in the year 1792. In England we see the characters in a rural area free from death. For example, The Fishermen’s Rest is a small countryside pub where many of the characters such as Marguerite St. Just, Percy Blakeney, Lord Antony, and Andrew are seen safe. In France, however, the mood is very different. It is of civil unrest and the French aristocrats and people who help them must fear for their lives.

As it takes place during the French Revolution, the time set of the novel plays a vital role. During this time in France, the absolute monarchy collapsed and the people of France were executing aristocrats and important government figures with the guillotine. These aristocrats attempted to escape from France and seek safety in other countries such as England. This was difficult with all the security, but some managed to succeed. The French Revolution was the reason for the Scarlet Pimpernel to help French aristocrats escape safely, which ties in to one of the major plots of the novel. Without the French Revolution the story could not be told.

One of the main characters is Percy Blakeney who we later learn is also the Scarlet Pimpernel. He is Englishman who is also the husband of Lady Blakeney. Percy is characterized as the richest and most fashionable man in England, but also as a complete dunce. He is called a dull turkey. Physically, he is solidly built with large shoulders and muscles. He is also mentioned as being handsome. However, Percy is seen as very dull to many people including his wife. Percy ca...

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...hen she agrees to help Chauvelin, she betrays him. She feels passionately for the Scarlet Pimpernel and her brother Armand, and that’s the reason that she betrays Chauvelin and France for them. It forces her decide what is more important, loyalty to herself and her ideals, or loyalty to her country and its ideals. Her ideals include saving her brother and the Scarlet Pimpernel where as her country’s ideals include capturing them. This universal message can relate to anyone. Where does your loyalty lie?

I enjoyed the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel. It was filled with adventure and I liked how both conflicts were resolved at the end. I chose this book because Mrs. Donius recommended it to me. She said she loved it and it was one of her favorites. I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers. Anyone from the age of thirteen and older could enjoy this novel.