Jolly 1 Marie Jolly LNG 341 Griswell 22 September 2011 Scarlet Pimpernel In-Class Everyone knows one person

whose life is as picture perfect as possible. But what are they truly feeling inside? Marguerite St. Just, also known as Lady Blakeney, is the perfect example of this person in Baroness Orczys The Scarlet Pimpernel: pretty, rich, well-married. Lady Blakeney serves as a complement to the Scarlet Pimpernels daring actions and historical significance that everyone can relate to, proving even those who appear perfect on the outside have feelings any individual can resonate with on the inside. A perfected physical appearance is a mainstay of any well upheld reputation. As lady Blakeneys first presentation to the audience is through her reputation among people and her physical description, the readers first impression from her is of a typical, snobby, selfish, upper class woman. Marguerite is clad in the most fashion forward clothing of the time period; a large hat, with undulating and waving plumes, [a] rich blue velvet robe, [and a] tall stick adorned with a large bunch of ribbons (38). Descriptions of her appearance add to the historical content of the novel as well, giving the reader an image of what a typical high class European woman would wear. Still today there are those individuals who present a polished outward appearance and gain a similar reaction from the general public. However as the novel progresses and the reader becomes more acquainted with Marguerite, just as in real life when you begin to learn more about any individual, it is shown that her inward emotions are similar to any individual, regardless of their outward appearance.

Jolly 2 Conflict is central to everyones life. As conflict plays out in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Marguerites personal life is further unveiled. Her conflict between loyalty to her brother and her husband causes internal emotional grief that Marguerite only openly displays behind closed doors. When the reader begins to witness her troubles of having been long oppressed with the heavy weight of constant self-control followed by a few tears [falling] unheeded down her cheeks (52) it becomes evident she is more than just a pretty face, but a typical human being caught between two people she loves greatly. Her grief is explained to the reader mostly by Marguerites actions and the narrators direct statements. Vulnerability is an emotion that evokes great sympathy from most people. Lady Blakeney chasing after her husband is the physical embodiment of the word itself. Every man, woman, and child can recognize vulnerability and identify it with being human. The last step in Marguerites transformation from a perfect socialite to a relatable human being in the readers eyes is her defenselessness when she wondered at what inn he might be stopping, or whether he had had the good luck of chartering a vessel alreadyThe thought gripped her at the heart as with an iron vice ifshe should be too late already! (171). Lady Blakeney is pivotal to The Scarlet Pimpernels central message of humanity being static through history and social class. Her change as a character reveals the basic struggles and feelings all people deal with, regardless of age, location, or status. Her inclusion in the novel makes it a book for the ages. Every reader should reconsider their behavior towards others after finishing the novel and identifying what could be a modern day Marguerite in their lives!