The Aspects

Here is a brief review of the aspects of character, theme, conflict, and style addressed in my reading responses.

Characteristics: D'Artagnan's pride (scheduling duels with each of the three musketeers, and his multiple encounters with the Man of Meung), Milady's intellect and guile (manipulating Felton to do her bidding), and Athos' pride (the murder of his wife).

Themes: Pride and vengeance (Man of Meung, Athos' wife, the duels), Passion vs. the Rational (gentlemen and ladies interactions with the opposite sex, lack of trust in the time period addressed), and the success of women in the 17th century (Milady's manipulative nature).

Conflicts: The initial confrontation between D'Artagnan and the three musketeers, the Man of Meung stealing D'Artagnan's letter, D'Artagnan's paramour being kidnapped, the betrayal of Athos' wife, and Milady's devious nature (her escape and the death of Lord Buckingham).

Style: Although it was not overtly stated, the novel is written in a passionate, over-the-top, occasionally exaggerated manner. Exclamations from the characters such as "*Parbleu!" are plentiful. This gave the novel a light and humourous air, although it certainly has it's dark conflicts to bear. However, part of this style has to do with the time period Dumas is addressing which, as mentioned earlier, was an extremely romantic era.

* Parbleu: Literally translated means "by the sky!" in the sense of "by god!" or "by jove!".