Click here for a sample section of The Scarlet Pimpernel Study Guide! Get the book The Scarlet Pimpernel HERE
The French Revolution is in full swing and Paris is awash in fear and the blood of its own nobility (or anyone else that the mobs deem a foe). However, one mysterious adventurer (some say phantom!) seems able to whisk away doomed nobles seemingly from under the very nose of the executioner—the infamous Scarlet Pimpernel.
French official Chauvelin will stop at nothing to uncover the Scarlet Pimpernel's identity, including forcing the unwilling help of Marguerite Blakeney, the French wife of England's richest and most foppish lord, Sir Percy Blakeney.
In this world of intrigue, death, and danger, nothing is as it seems.
Through Baroness Orczy's fun and adventurous short novel, The Scarlet Pimpernel, students will learn:
Historical Background: The French Revolution.
Author Biography: Learn about Baroness Orczy.
Before-You-Read Activities: Mapping, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Robespierre.
Vocabulary words used throughout the novel, utilizing a variety of activities to stimulate retention and growth.
Literary Techniques: Antonym, synonym, juxtaposition, stereotype, irony, paradox, foreshadowing, cliffhanger, in context, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, moral dilemma, hyperbole, romanticism, allusion, anthropomorphism, protagonist, antagonist, false climax, foil, theme, willing suspension of disbelief, contrivance.
Moral Lessons and Character Values: Conflict, accountability, marriage, wise counsel, virtue vs. self-righteous, misunderstandings, fate vs. free will, altruism, self-interest, egoism, leadership, freedom, bigotry, prejudice, stereotypes, the Good Samaritan, do unto others.
Activities and Writing Assignments: Class discussions, bulletin board, quotations, essay choices, drama, art.
Suggestions for Further Reading: We include an in-depth reading list of more books by the same author(s) and other books that tie in with, or are similar to, The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. Movie suggestions included.
All of the unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview!
E-guide Format
As an English major, I spent so much time in college analyzing books that they lost their joy--reading became a chore. I was afraid these studies would do the same, but they don't. The vocabulary lists are excellent, and the questions for discussing deeper truths are great conversation starters. My kids say they could have done without the comprehension questions, since they understood the story perfectly without them...so we skipped them. I wouldn't use a study guide for every book we read, but I would use a guide a few times a year, especially the Progeny Press guides that help build character as they're expanding knowledge and familiarity with great literature. Thank you, Progeny Press!
We used it for family discussion while reading the book aloud. The kids love that the vocabulary words are in order of appearance. I tell them the next word to listen for and it's a game to see who is the first to spot it. The discussion questions are terrific especially those that tie into the Bible and evaluate the character's attitudes and actions in light of Biblical principles.
Love how the bible is used in every study!!! Love Progeny Press!!