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Chapter 75
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
Langdon views Sophie’s story as confirmation Saunière was Grand Master, but he can offer her no more comfort. In light of this new knowledge, Sophie seems remorseful for shunning her grandfather. Teabing returns with snacks and they ruminate on the “headstone praised by Templars” clue. Langdon recalls that, during the Church’s persecution of the Templars, they accused the Knights of worshipping false idols, particularly the goat-headed pagan god Baphomet. The Knights honored Baphomet for his association with sexual virility by chanting prayers to a stone replica of his head. Sophie points out that “Baphomet” won’t fit in the cryptex, but Teabing says this is where the Atbash Cipher will be of use.
Sophie’s reaction to the truth about what she witnessed illustrates the long-term damage of secrets, even those kept with the best intentions. Sophie wasn’t necessarily keeping a secret, but she has been withholding her feelings instead of being honest about how that night affected her. If she and Saunière had admitted the truth to one another, they might have repaired their relationship before he died. Again, Langdon’s knowledge of the Templar and symbology helps the group make progress toward solving the cryptex.
Themes
