The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
Musketeers Project
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Twenty Years After - Week 12 - thru The Workmen
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D’Artagnan is pretty manipulative in these chapters in the way he lures Groslow. As much as Groslow did not get it, I was surprised that the king got it who might have given up all hope for a rescue. It seems quite odd that his life depends now on four Frenchmen and their servants. But of course this is part of Dumas’s historical liberties here.I was also surprised that they could do all this in such a short time, especially the attempt to rescue the king in London, which was all planned/ improvised on the go. However, it still does not quite work out due to the mysterious volunteer. I guess it is Milady’s son who has such hatred for the king that he would love to be his executioner.
King Charles seems to be a decent and grateful man, but he is also in the weak position depending on others for his life. He wants to do his confession though in front of Parry and Aramis, which indicates that his sins might not have been too atrocious. 😉
We have talked about the “perfect” Athos before, but I thought him quite stupid at the trial to scream out this way knowing that he will draw everyone’s attention on him and his friends, especially the attention of Mordaunt, from whom they had just escaped. Despite his royal devotion I thought he would be a little more prudent.
Robin, it is interesting to hear about the vous and tu in the French version, which gets lost in the English translation. That gives it an additional notion of submission, contempt, devotion, respect, disrespect.
Robin, to answer your question whether it was likely for Athos to yell in court, I do not think so. It seems somehow off. Athos is always rather polite and keeps to the socially expected countenance. This act is more something for a very impulsive person, which Athos is not in my opinion. On the other hand, while escaping in these chapters he seemed to be less calculating with the only goal to save the king. I wonder whether he felt the honorable burden of a promise to Queen Henrietta.
I agree - it doesn’t seem like something Athos would do.He has always been so reserved and polite; yelling during the trial is definitely out of character for him.
It’s funny how Porthos is always focused on food and Aramis is always on the lookout for beautiful women.
One thing I’ve noticed that is a somewhat signature Dumas - he always makes the reader hope that a character will be saved. A plan is laid out, everything falls into place and at the last minute, a sudden complication leads to the demise of that character. (I’ve seen this in Queen Margot, and in we saw it twice in the Three Musketeers- when they attempted to save Buckingham and Constance) I think Dumas does this for dramatic effect. It makes it extra heart breaking when you think someone will be saved and they end up dying anyway.
I don’t think Dumas is a fan of happy endings - at least not in the traditional sense.
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I recently read several modern literary fiction books where most of the suspense was ruined. The author right up front disclosed a death, crime, accident, etc. and then forced you to go back and learn the unpleasant details. Many authors also put in a lot of foreshadowing, such as "if only I had known" or "This plan should have worked but . .". Dumas does none of this. In fact, he even makes us believe that King Charles could be rescued when we know the historical fact says not.
It is sad reading about all their plans to save the King knowing that something is going to happen to make them go wrong...
Daniela wrote: "It is sad reading about all their plans to save the King knowing that something is going to happen to make them go wrong..."I know ;(
The first time I read the book I had no idea and I was better off not knowing.
His first plan relies on the pride and stupidity of Groslow, and the knowledge that he and his friends can easily subdue double their numbers. D'Artagnan constantly speaks in double entendres, such as saying the king can't escape unless friends descend from the sky to help him. Ellsworth totally misses one of these, having d'Artagnan say, "Haul out your cash for we aren't leaving without taking it from you". But he really says, "Guard your treasure because we aren't leaving without taking it" - which is of course a reference to the king.
Of course, the plan is foiled by the same evil force as always!
We see some more digs at English weather, clothing, haircuts, food and drink, as well as their crudeness and cruelty toward the King. Our friends take it upon themselves to reward and punish a couple of spectators who express respect or disrespect toward Charles. And does it seem likely that Athos would so depart from his reserve as to yell a disagreement during the judgment?
There's a bit of humor in the secreting of the executioner, where nobody is really harmed. I was also a bit surprised that our heroes could pull off looking like workers and knowing how to use tools. Porthos' size and strength seem to have grown from the first book to this one. He is now a giant who can kill with one blow.
A couple of things about the "vous" vs. "tu" - When d'Artagnan tells Athos, "wait", it is not only a direct command but according to Dumas, the first time he had addressed Athos in the familiar. (I'm not sure that's true, I think he used it once in the first book in conversation about Milady.) And when Athos yells, "You lie" to the tribune, he addresses the Parliamentary speaker with the informal/disrespectful "tu".