The Scarlet Pimpernel

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. In the novel, Baroness Orczy’s portrayal of the French and British demonstrates her attitude toward the two cultures.

• How does the author portray the French as primitive and the English as happy and virtuous? (topic sentence)
• Provide three examples from the novel that portray the French in a negative light and the English in a positive light.
• In your concluding sentences, explain why Orczy chose to portray the English and the French the way she did.

2. Marguerite is known throughout Paris and London in the novel.

• What qualities does Marguerite possess that make her wildly popular in London and Paris? (topic sentence)
• Explain three qualities that make Marguerite admirable to the other characters in the novel, then explain why these qualities are important to her success in Paris and in London.
• In your concluding sentences, explain why you believe Orczy chose a woman from the French peasantry to act as the belle of English aristocracy. Then explain what Orczy’s choice indicates about her beliefs about the superiority of nobility.

3. Much of the novel is composed of discreet mannerisms that include body language, clever hints, wit, and banter between characters.

• What clues in the novel prove to Marguerite that her husband isn’t the fool he pretends to be? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Percy’s interactions in public and private and his frequent absences give testament to his intelligence rather than his foppishness.
• In your concluding sentences, explain why you believe Marguerite was able to dismiss her husband as unintelligent rather than clever.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Explain the role that misunderstandings and misrepresentation play in the marriage of Marguerite and Percy. How do Marguerite and Percy fail to understand each other? How does each character react to the other’s misrepresentation? How do Marguerite and Percy both hide their feelings under a mask of behavior? What fears prevent each character from confessing their identity and defending themself? What is the significance of the novel’s theme of Removing the Masks That Stifle Love?

2. Describe Orczy’s characterization of Chauvelin. How is he described? What animal is Chauvelin often compared to, and why does Orczy draw this comparison? What, in Chauvelin’s opinion, is the problem with the French Republic? What events in the novel point to Chauvelin’s cruelty? How does Chauvelin’s intelligence compare to that of the Scarlet Pimpernel? What conclusions can be drawn about Orczy’s opinion on revolutionaries based on Chauvelin’s character?

3. Throughout the novel, Sir Percy Blakeney and his crew use humor in various circumstances. What is the role of humor in the novel? How does humor assuage some of the uncomfortable social situations in the novel? How does Percy use humor to guard his identity and to taunt and enrage the people he opposes? In what ways does Percy’s foppish humor help him gather information?