Themes: The human world is imbued with meaning

This theme is woven throughout the novel, starting from the title and continuing to the epilogue. Names of characters and places, the way bodies are positioned, and the design of buildings all hold hidden meanings that can be unlocked by those with the right knowledge, similar to the complex codes encountered by those seeking the Grail.

This theme reshapes the world within The Da Vinci Code. No occurrence is accidental or without purpose; every...

Themes: The importance of human relationships, particularly male-female connections

Relationships, particularly those between men and women, are a central theme in The Da Vinci Code. The novel's central quest for the Holy Grail is ultimately unveiled as a search for the remains of the woman Jesus loved, who carried his child.

The concept of relationships between men and women is explicitly portrayed as a path to the divine. This notion is symbolized through the Hieros Gamos ceremony and the design of the cryptex. Additionally,...

Themes: The power of belief, and the need to believe

The novel prominently explores the power of belief and the necessity of having something to believe in. This theme is apparent from the beginning, where Jacques Saunière, even as he is dying, desperately tries to convey a message about the hidden Grail. It is also evident in the relentless pursuit by Grail seekers to find their treasured object.

The presence of various groups competing for their version of truth highlights the political influence...

Themes: The influence of the past upon the present

Most actions in The Da Vinci Code stem from reactions to pivotal events from the distant past. The most significant of these are historical in nature. The power struggles among Jesus's disciples to define his true identity took place two thousand years ago, yet their effects are still visible today. Sophie's identity is partly influenced by her ancestry, as she is a descendant of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

The past's influence on the present is...

Themes: Sacrifice

The Da Vinci Code opens with a powerful act of self-sacrifice—Saunière's death to protect the secret of the Priory of Sion. The theme of sacrifice is a recurring element in the novel. It is not always about death; sacrifice can also mean losing integrity, freedom, or a material possession. It involves giving up something to gain something else, creating a scenario where two conflicting needs cannot both be fulfilled.

For example, Saunière's...

Themes: Quest

At the heart of Brown's novel is the theme of a quest, which encompasses both an expansive and thrilling journey in pursuit of something significant and one of literature's most fundamental themes: the search for the Holy Grail. The novel's characters each embark on their own quests for various reasons. Silas is on a mission to find the keystone that will lead him to the Holy Grail for his benefactor, Bishop Aringarosa. Detective Fache is...

Themes: Christianity

The Da Vinci Codeseems to suggest that Catholic organizations are involved in a plot to erase alternative Christian narratives. It proposes ideas such as Jesus not being divine, Mary Magdalene having children with him, her being the intended leader of Christianity over the apostle Peter, and Constantine the Great concealing this information while compiling the Bible at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. These claims are pertinent to Christians...

Themes: Christian Themes

It is important to be aware that The Da Vinci Codeis literary fiction; the appearance of historical accuracy is only superficial. Brown’s book is a minefield of disinformation for the unwary reader. He disturbs scholars of history and theology alike with his claims to legitimate scholarship, when evidence suggests that his sources are often from latter-day mystics rather than from reliable academic research. There is, however, a consistent reality...