The Scarlet Pimpernel

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-9

Reading Check

1. Who is the guard for the West Gate?

2. What do the ruling Committee of Public Safety officials always receive after a daring rescue of nobles?

3. Why are Jellyband and his customers angry with Prime Minister Pitt?

4. What is the name of Jellyband and Sally’s coastal inn?

5. Whom does the Vicomte accuse Marguerite St Just of condemning to death?

6. To whom is Marguerite married?

7. What does Chauvelin ask Marguerite to do?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How are peasants portrayed in Baroness Orczy’s novel? Is there truth in her portrayal of the peasantry during the French Revolution? What biases might she have toward revolution and peasantry?

2. How did the Scarlet Pimpernel arrange the first recorded escape in the novel?

3. How is Sir Percy Blakeney described?

4. What is the conflict between Sir Percy and his wife?

Paired Resource

William Pitt and the French Revolution

• This encyclopedia article describes the role of William Pitt, the Younger in the French Revolution, the debt facing England following the American Revolution, and other difficulties in his first ministry.
• Consider reading only the section “Pitt’s first ministry, 1783-1801” for the sake of time.
• Why was England’s national credit impaired during William Pitt’s first ministry, and what was the amount of the debt? Why did Pitt choose not to intervene in the French Revolution? Do you think he made a wise choice?

The French Revolution and the War with Austria

• This 10-minute video describes King Louis XVI’s attempt to escape France and the French conflict with Austria. (Content Warning: May not be appropriate for all groups due to graphic depictions of torture and death)
• How did the French people feel when they realized their king was attempting to escape France? What was the national razor? What was Austria’s involvement in the French Revolution? Why do you think some British officials thought it was Austria’s responsibility to act in the French Revolution? How is Austria’s involvement in the French Revolution related to the novel’s theme of Saving Lives for Kicks?

Chapters 10-19

Reading Check

1. What does Chauvelin threaten to do to Marguerite’s brother if she doesn’t help him find the Scarlet Pimpernel?

2. What does Marguerite steal from Andrew to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel?

3. Where does the Scarlet Pimpernel instruct Andrew to meet him?

4. How does Chauvelin plan to spy on the secret meeting of the Scarlet Pimpernel?

5. Where does Percy go after the night of the ball?

6. What does Marguerite discover on the floor of Percy’s study?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is the ballroom tense when the Vicomte de Tournay thanks the Scarlett Pimpernel in the presence of the Prince of Wales, Chauvelin, and the Blakeneys?

2. Why did Marguerite want to punish the marquis?

3. What does Marguerite conclude after studying Percy’s study?

4. When does Marguerite conclude that Percy is the Scarlet Pimpernel?

Paired Resource

“Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis)”

• This article describes the flower known as the scarlet pimpernel and its traits.
• What is a scarlet pimpernel, and where does it grow? Why do you think the flower might symbolize humility and resilience? Do you think there is significance in the flower’s scarlet color? How is the symbol of the scarlet pimpernel related to the novel’s themes of Saving Lives for Kicks and “The Quality” Versus the French Peasantry?

“Revolution or Reform? Burke vs. Paine on the French Revolution”

• This 3-minute video describes opposing attitudes toward the French Revolution from Edmund Burke, an Irish-British philosopher, and Thomas Paine, an American philosopher.
• What are the differences between Burke’s and Paine’s perspectives on the French Revolution? Who do you believe is correct in their assertions? How are the attitudes abroad related to the novel’s theme of “The Quality” Versus the French Peasantry?

Chapters 20-31

Reading Check

1. Whom does Marguerite convince to help her find Percy?

2. What does Jellyband suspect Marguerite and Andrew plan to do?

3. Whom does Andrew see hiring a boat as he leaves England?

4. Who arrives at the inn dressed in a cleric’s cassock?

5. Whom does the tall man hire to take him across France?

6. What happens to Marguerite when she attempts to run to the hut to warn Percy?

7. Who is inside the hut when Chauvelin orders his soldiers to infiltrate it?

8. Who is Rosenbaum revealed to be?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Percy distract Chauvelin when he enters the inn?

2. How does Percy use the 18th-century prejudices of the French to aid him in his disguises?

Recommended Next Reads

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

• This fantasy romance novel, set in a Renaissance-era world, describes the adventures and trials of a young woman and her true love who are caught amid political upheaval.
• Shared topics include love, adventure, and trickery.
• Shared themes include Saving Lives for Kicks and Removing the Masks That Stifle Love.
• The Princess Bride on SuperSummary

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

• This novel is about a young man who seeks retribution after he is betrayed by those closest to him.
• Shared topics include love, adventure, conflicts between social classes, and betrayal.
• Shared themes include Removing the Masks That Stifle Love and “The Quality” Versus the French Peasantry.
• The Count of Monte Cristo on SuperSummary