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Situational Irony
Chapter 21: Suspense
Explanation and Analysis:
In The Scarlet Pimpernel, Orczy utilizes a third-person limited omniscient point of view, which means she knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters and can dip into their internal lives as needed. For most of the novel, however, Marguerite is the focal character, and Orczy closely follows her thoughts and experiences.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is an attempt to convince readers of Orczy’s perspective on the French Revolution and the role of the aristocracy. Anticipating that not all readers will initially share this perspective, Orczy uses this stylistic method to encourage them to identify with Marguerite, who begins the novel with a fairly neutral position. As the story progresses, her perspective shifts, and readers are compelled to follow suit.
At other points in the novel, Orczy delves into the perspectives of other characters, both major and minor, which leads to moments of dramatic irony. In Chapter 21, for example, the reader is given a glimpse into the thoughts of Jellyband and Sally, both of whom have wildly misinterpreted the relationship between Marguerite and Sir Andrew.
Although the point of view occasionally switches, the narration of The Scarlet Pimpernel is never entirely omniscient. As a result, the novel’s big reveal—Sir Percy’s secret identity as The Scarlet Pimpernel—comes as a surprise to both Marguerite and the reader.
Related Themes:
