# XLVIII: The Riot Becomes a Revolution explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

The queen, Anne of Austria, faces a full-blown revolution as the Parisian mob demands the release of Councillor Broussel. Despite her fierce resistance, she is forced to sign the order after the palace gates are breached, with Mazarin and Gondy pressuring her to yield.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

The queen's abuse of power and Mazarin's manipulative control are exposed as the mob forces their hand.

### Revolution and Rebellion

The Parisian mob's uprising directly challenges royal authority, forcing the queen to capitulate.

### Class and Ambition

Gondy's ambition for a cardinal's hat and d'Artagnan's thoughts on personal gain highlight class dynamics and self-interest amidst the revolt.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Observes the queen's confrontation from a hidden closet, ready to intervene.

### Porthos

Accompanies d'Artagnan in the closet, listening and ready to act.

### Mazarin

Urges the queen to sign Broussel's release, speaking in Spanish to calm her.

### Anne of Austria

Queen of France, initially defiant but forced to sign the order under threat of mob violence.

### Gondy

Coadjutor who mediates between the queen and the people, securing the release order.

### Comminges

Reports the mob's attack and receives the queen's initial command to use force.

### La Meilleraie

Maréchal who conveys the people's demands after being rescued by Gondy.

### Louvières

Leads the mob outside the Palais Royal, halting them at Gondy's signal.

## Key lines

> The queen was standing in the room, pale with anger; her self-control, however, was so great that it might have been imagined that she was calm.

Anne of Austria stood pale with rage, but her composure was so strong she appeared calm.

_Describes the queen's controlled fury during the crisis._

> Release Broussel! she cried, never!

The queen refused to free Broussel, shouting 'never!'

_Highlights Anne's initial defiance against the mob's demand._

> Sign, Anne, I implore you — I command you.

Mazarin begged and then ordered the queen to sign the release order.

_Mazarin's desperate plea to save the monarchy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xlviii-the-riot-becomes-a-revolution
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters