Student Question
What are the settings in the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel?
Quick answer:
The settings in The Scarlet Pimpernel include key locations during the French Revolution. The novel begins in Paris, where the protagonist, Sir Percy Blakeney, operates as the Scarlet Pimpernel. The story also unfolds in Dover, England, at the Fisherman's Rest inn, and across the English Channel in Calais, France, at Le Chat Gris inn. Additional settings include London, Richmond, and various locations in Calais, highlighting the transnational escape efforts of French aristocrats.
This adventure/spy/romance story is set during the French Revolution as a notorious Englishman has taken upon himself the rescue of French aristocrats, whom he smuggles into England. Many of these aristocrats are taken from the city of Paris and the smuggler leaves behind a red star-shaped flower called a scarlet pimpernel by English speakers. Thus, he becomes known as the Scarlet Pimpernel. (Paris is mentioned later in the novel, too.) But, not until the end of the novel is Sir Percy's identity revealed.
In Chapter 2, the narrative moves to a small inn known as Fisherman's Rest in Dover, England, on the English coast. Later, in Chapter 9, Antony informs Andrew about his plan to meet a man named Hastings, in Calais, France. Just as Dover is on the English side of the Channel, Calais is on the French side of the English Channel. In Chapter 12, London, England is...
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mentioned. In Chapter 23, Calais, France, is again mentioned and the Chat Gris Inn there.
What are the settings for the chapters in The Scarlet Pimpernel?
The Scarlet Pimpernelby Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a romantic adventure set in the turbulent times of the French Revolution. The main character, an Englishman, Sir Percy Blakeney, is a wealthy and fashionable gentlemen who acts rather foolishly because he is secretly the flamboyant Scarlet Pimpernel who smuggles aristocrats out of France. His wife, Lady Blakeney has a rather controversial history that intertwines with the activities of the Scarlet Pimpernel, all of which makes for a stirring tale.
Here are the settings for the various chapters of this scintillating story:
Chapters:
1. Paris: September, 1792 - Paris, France
2. Dover, England at the Fisherman's Rest - Here there is a small pub
which is the rendez-vous for the French aristocrats to arrive.
3. Fisherman's Rest in Dover
4. Fisherman's Rest
5. Fisherman's Rest
6.
Fisherman's Rest - This chapter digresses some to provide
background information on Lady Blakeney, formerly Marguerite St. Just who drew
the most distinguished, most intellectual, most fashionable of Paris.
7. Fisherman's Rest - "The Orchard," where Lady Blakeney has a secret
meeting with her brother Armand.
8. Dover in Kent County, England
9. The London road, Fisherman's Rest
10. London, Covent Garden
Theatre - the Blakeney opera box
11. London - Lord Greenville's Ball
12. London - Lord Greenville's Ball
13. London - Lord Greenville's
14. London - Lord Greenville's
15. London - Lord Greenville's
16. Richmond, England - The Blakeney country home
17. Richmond, England - The Blakeney's
18. Richmond, London - Lady Blakeney is at the country home, but Sir Percy has
returned to London
19. Richmond - Lady Blakeney learns that her husband has hired a coach from
London to take him to Dover.
20. London - Lady Blakeney meets with Sir Andrew and they hope to intercede for
the Scarlet Pimpernel before Chauvelin reaches him in Calais, France, on the
coast.
21. Fisherman's Rest in Dover
22. Calais, France - Le Chat Gris inn [The Grey Cat inn]
23. Le Chat Gris in Calais
24. Le Chat Gris in Calais
25. Le Chat Gris in Calais
26. Le Chat Gris in Calais - Marguerite Blakeney watches from the loft
as Chauvelin tries to close in on the Scarlet Pimpernel.
27. Le Chat Gris - outside the inn - Lady Blakeney tries to run to Pere
Blanchard's hut.
28. Pere Blanchard's hut, Calais
29. Pere Blanchard's hut, Calais - Lady Blakeney overhears Chauvelin giving
orders to his men.
30. The fisherman's hut, Calais, Dover, England - Chauvelin is defeated as the
men have escaped to Sir Percy's yacht. Lady Blakeney hears cries of pain and
recognizes Sir Percy's voice; he is disguised as the old Jew that Chauvelin
ordered beaten for his misinformation and treachery. Sir Percy and Lady
Blakeney return to Dover on the Day Dream.