# III: The Pupil of John de Witt explained — The Black Tulip

> Chapter companion for The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

As the mob grows more violent against the De Witt brothers, John de Witt hastens his brother Cornelius's departure. Rosa helps the brothers escape through a secret passage, giving them a key and guiding them to a waiting carriage. Meanwhile, a mysterious young man (implied to be William of Orange) observes the crowd's movements and inquires about Deputy Bowelt. Rosa then hides her father Gryphus in a secret dungeon as the mob breaks into the prison, shouting for the traitors' deaths.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Turmoil

The mob's violent demands and the escape of the De Witt brothers illustrate the chaotic political climate and the threat of popular uprising.

### Injustice and Persecution

The De Witt brothers are unjustly targeted by the mob, and their escape is a direct response to persecution based on false accusations of treason.

### Redemption and Justice

Rosa's selfless act of helping the brothers escape hints at the possibility of justice and redemption amid the persecution.

## Character check-ins

### Cornelius de Witt

Flees the prison with his brother John, thanks Rosa for her help, and gives her a Bible as a gift.

### John de Witt

Organizes the escape of his brother Cornelius, expresses gratitude to Rosa, and departs with Cornelius to the Tol-Hek.

### Rosa Gryphus

Helps the De Witt brothers escape by providing a key and guiding them through a secret passage, then hides her father Gryphus in a secret dungeon.

### Gryphus

Initially refuses to open the prison door for the mob, but is persuaded by Rosa to hide in the secret dungeon.

### William of Orange

Observes the crowd's actions from a hidden position, inquires about Deputy Bowelt, and shows impatience and suspicion.

### Bowelt

Appears on the balcony of the Town-hall to address the mob, but is unable to satisfy their demands.

## Key lines

> The trapdoor closed over his head, just as the broken gate gave admittance to the populace.

The secret door shut above Gryphus at the exact moment the mob broke through the main gate.

_Describes the timing of Gryphus's hiding as the mob enters the prison._

> The dungeon where Rosa had induced her father to hide himself, and where for the present we must leave the two, offered to them a perfectly safe retreat, being known only to those in power, who used to place there important prisoners of state, to guard against a rescue or a revolt.

The secret dungeon where Rosa convinced her father to hide was a secure place, known only to authorities, used for high-profile prisoners to prevent rescues or uprisings.

_Explains the safety and purpose of the secret dungeon._

> The people rushed into the prison, with the cry⁠— 'Death to the traitors! To the gallows with Cornelius de Witt! Death! death!'

The mob stormed the prison shouting for the execution of Cornelius de Witt, calling him a traitor.

_Highlights the mob's violent intent and focus on Cornelius de Witt._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/chapters/iii-the-pupil-of-john-de-witt
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/chapters