A Question of Passports explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Cunning and Wit

  The Scarlet Pimpernel's clever use of a forged note to deceive Bibot and the guards demonstrates superior cunning over the revolutionary authorities.

• Revolutionary Terror and Injustice

  The arbitrary condemnation of the Montreux family and the threat of the guillotine highlight the brutal injustice of the Revolutionary Tribunal.

• Fear and Superstition

  Both Marat and Bibot display superstitious terror of the Scarlet Pimpernel, believing him to be a supernatural agent of the devil.

Characters to notice

• Bibot

  Commandant of the Porte Montmartre, confident in his ability to catch the Scarlet Pimpernel, but ultimately tricked by a forged note.

• Jean Paul Marat

  Warns Bibot about the Scarlet Pimpernel's threat to rescue the Montreux family, showing fear of the Englishman's cunning.

• The Scarlet Pimpernel

  Outwits Bibot by sending a forged note from the Committee of Public Safety, enabling the Montreux family's escape.

• Citizen Chauvelin

  Mentioned as having suffered humiliation at the hands of the Scarlet Pimpernel and his League.

• Citizen Ferney

  Previous commandant of the Porte Montmartre, guillotined for allowing aristocrats to escape.

Key passages

• “Bibot was very sure of himself. There never was, never had been, there never would be again another such patriotic citizen of the Republic as was citizen Bibot of the Town Guard.”

  Bibot was supremely confident in his own patriotism, believing himself unmatched in his loyalty to the Republic.

  Establishes Bibot's arrogance and self-assurance, which later contributes to his downfall.

• “The Scarlet Pimpernel is only an ordinary mortal—an exceedingly cunning and meddlesome personage it is true, and endowed with a superfluity of wealth which enabled him to break the thin crust of patriotism that overlay the natural cupidity of many Captains of the Town Guard—but still an ordinary man for all that!”

  The Committee of Public Safety insists the Scarlet Pimpernel is merely a clever, wealthy man who exploits the greed of guards, not a supernatural being.

  Contrasts the official view with the superstitious fear that many, including Marat, harbor.

• “Just the well-known accursed device, citizen, the small scarlet flower, drawn in red ink, and the few words: 'Tonight the innocent men and women now condemned by this infamous tribunal will be beyond your reach!'”

  Marat describes the Scarlet Pimpernel's calling card: a red flower drawing and a promise to rescue the condemned.

  Illustrates the Pimpernel's audacious taunting of the revolutionary authorities.