# LXXI: Port Wine explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

The servants Blaisois, Mousqueton, and Grimaud discuss their thirst and devise a plan to steal port wine from the English. Grimaud enters the hold through a hole in the partition, but instead of wine, he discovers gunpowder and overhears Mordaunt and Groslow plotting to blow up the ship at a quarter past midnight.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Justice

Mordaunt's plot to blow up the ship is driven by a desire for revenge against the musketeers, highlighting the theme of personal vengeance.

### Class and Ambition

The servants' scheme to steal wine reflects their lower-class cunning and ambition to enjoy what their masters possess.

## Character check-ins

### Mousqueton

Leads the plan to steal port wine, displaying his marauding character and disdain for the English.

### Blaisois

Naive servant who questions the morality of stealing but is persuaded by Mousqueton's arguments.

### Grimaud

Laconic and resourceful; enters the hold to fetch wine but discovers gunpowder and overhears the assassination plot.

### Mordaunt

Plans revenge by setting a gunpowder fuse to blow up the ship, speaking in French and coordinating with Groslow.

### Groslow

Captain who assists Mordaunt in the plot, ensuring the longboat and oars are ready.

### Porthos

Heard snoring through the partition, indicating the masters are asleep and unaware of the danger.

## Key lines

> Why buy what one can take?

Why purchase something when you can simply steal it?

_Mousqueton justifies theft from the English, whom he considers enemies._

> Nothing one does not do one's self is ever well done.

A task is only done properly when you do it yourself.

_Mordaunt insists on personally setting the fuse, showing his determination and distrust of others._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxi-port-wine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters