Analysis Of The Scarlet Pimpernel

The plot of the story begins in September, 1792 in France. Nobles are losing their heads to the guillotine. The Scarlet Pimpernel, who was given that name because he leaves images of that very flower on slips of paper, has been sneaking those who would be targeted to lose their heads in France, out of the country. Sergeant Bibot, an agent of the Committee of Public Safety, is watching the West Gate of the city of Paris. Seargeant Bibot feels that no one will get past him when he is guarding the West Gate. This includes the Scarlet Pimpernel. However, Bibot lets pass a cart driven by what he describes as “an old hag” who he later learns, to his disgust that it was the Scarlet Pimpernel in disguise. Lady Blakeney is approached by a French secret agent who wants her to help him in his search for the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. She does have a personal interest in finding the Scarlet Pimpernel because her brother has been found to be collaborating with the Scarlet Pimpernel. The members of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel meet at a pub in Dover, England. Lord Anthony Dewhurst is at this pub called The Fisherman’s Rest; he is meeting with three refugees –the Comtesse de Tournay, her young friend, Susan, and the Vicomte de Tournay. Sir Andrew Ffoulkes accompanies the refugees. The Comtesse de Tournay expresses to Lord Anton y that she does not have much hope for the release of her husband, the Comte de Tournay. At this meeting, it is announced that there are twenty members of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. At the end of the meeting Sir Percy Blakeney and his wife Lady Marguerite Blakeney arrive at the pub.

The son of Lady Comtesse de Tournay challenges Percy Blakeney to a duel, but his wife is able to calm things down....

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...people inside the cabin as their prisoners. When Sir Percy arrives at the cabin, Chauvelin and his men go into the cabin, but the prisoners have escaped!

Chauvelin’s men beat the old Jew by the cabin. After he makes sure that Chauvelin is no longer at the cabin, the old Jew reveals his identity as Marguerites’ husband Percy. Marguerite and Percy reconcile and leave to go back to England together. One of the major conflicts of the novel has now been resolved, since Lady Blakeney and Sir Percy Blakeney have been reunited. Lady Blakeney loves and respects her husband more than ever.

The climax of The Scarlet Pimpernel is the scene set in Percy Blakeney’s study in which Marguerite Blakeney finds the ring with the flat shield and the engraving of the scarlet pimpernel on it. This discovery makes her realize that her husband is actually the Scarlet Pimpernel.