"The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Emma Orczy

Essay by NitashaHigh School, 11th gradeA+, October 1996

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The historical novel entitled The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic and truly deserves

this prestigious title. The author of this enthralling 267 page book is Baroness Emma

Orczy and it was published by Dodd, Mead & Company in the year 1964. The scene is

set in the terrorized Paris of revolutionary France in the 1800's. During this time

period nobody was safe from the horrifying grasp of 'Madame la Guillotine' which

claimed hundreds of lives every day. But a few brave men headed by a courageous

person known only as the anonymous Scarlet Pimpernel, helped the innocent escape from

their deaths. By use of trickery and deceit, these 20 men helped many endangered

aristocrats escape from France back to the safety of England. There, the lives of the

royalty and honored citizens were protected. Among the most widely acknowledged

person of high society at the time was Lady Marguerite Blakeney who was also known as

being the 'cleverest woman in Europe.'

She had married a man by the name of Sir

Percy Blakeney who had flattered her with his deep love. But they soon grew apart

after Lady Blakeney confessed to her husband how she had accidentally been involved in

sending a noble family to the guillotine. Feeling shocked and disappointed towards his

wife, Sir Percy's adoration of her was not shown anymore. However he continued on

with his life of which a part was left untold to his wife whom he could not trust. He

never let her know of the secretive life he led as the celebrated Scarlet Pimpernel.

Later on, Lady Blakeney was blackmailed into making a deal with a French spy

named Chauvelin. He had promised the return of her beloved brother, Armand, from

death in France if she promised to help in leading...