Philosophy of the Heart and Mind explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Class and Social Mobility

  Planchet, a former servant, now has wealth and desires to invest, showing social mobility.

• Greed and Corruption

  Planchet's avarice and desire for easy riches are highlighted, as is the political maneuvering of Colbert.

• Friendship and Betrayal

  Planchet's affectionate concern for d'Artagnan contrasts with the political betrayals in the court.

Characters to notice

• D'Artagnan

  Returns home, laughs at Colbert, prepares for a journey to Bretagne, and reflects on his mission.

• Planchet

  Welcomes d'Artagnan, offers to invest in his expedition, and shows affectionate concern.

• Nicolas Fouquet

  Mentioned in d'Artagnan's reflections; d'Artagnan returns his order.

• Jean-Baptiste Colbert

  D'Artagnan laughs at him and reflects on his political opposition to Fouquet.

Key passages

• “For a man who had seen so many much more dangerous ones, the position of d’Artagnan with respect to M. Colbert was only comic.”

  D'Artagnan found his situation with Colbert amusing rather than threatening.

  D'Artagnan's lighthearted view of Colbert's enmity.

• “That Avarice is an ardent counselor; she carries away her man, as Satan did Jesus, to the mountain...”

  Greed is a powerful and corrupting force that leads a person astray.

  Narrator's reflection on Planchet's covetousness.

• “I cannot think the expedition a very dangerous one; and it will fall out with my voyage as with that piece M. Monck took me to see in London, which was called, I think, Much Ado About Nothing.”

  D'Artagnan believes his mission will prove to be much fuss over nothing important.

  D'Artagnan's dismissive attitude toward the expedition.