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Chapter 68
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Da Vinci Code, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Conspiracies and Secrets
Art and Symbolism
Faith vs. Knowledge
Sacred Femininity and Revisionist History
Power and Manipulation
Summary
Analysis
As Teabing’s plane takes flight, Sophie feels she has crossed a line, having fled the country with a fugitive and a hostage. In the plane’s rear, Rémy stands guard over Silas. Before they investigate the keystone, Teabing wants to make sure Sophie understands that Saunière entrusted her to keep the Grail secret alive. Teabing believes Sophie should reveal the truth (should she discover it) to the world, especially since the brotherhood has been compromised. Langdon admonishes Teabing for pressuring Sophie. Still wondering if her family history is involved, Sophie says she trusts the Grail has found her for a reason and she will know what to do when the time comes.
By fleeing the country, Sophie fully commits herself to the quest Saunière has laid out for her and assumes hefty personal risk in the process. For Teabing to grill Sophie on her motivations in this moment is, therefore, tactless at best and insulting at worst. His questions expose his own biased opinion that the Grail secret should be made public, and he clearly wants to sway Sophie to believe the same. This moment subtly highlights Teabing’s dislike of having less power than others. On the other hand, Langdon stands up for Sophie and acknowledges the decision is hers alone, since she inherited the keystone. Unconcerned with either man’s opinion, Sophie demonstrates notable self-trust.
Themes
