Baroness Emma Orczy was well known in her time for her belief in the superiority of the aristocracy and support of British imperialism. These views, which include a respect for monarchy and a disdain for revolution, come through clearly in the narrative tone of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Throughout the novel, Orczy’s choice of setting and use of imagery reflects an appreciation of traditional British culture and values. England is presented as a nation of beauty, morality, and material abundance, while France is characterized by filth, violence, and poverty. Her attitude toward characters of different nationalities is also quite obvious from her tone. Sir Percy and Sir Andrew, who are both English, are depicted as stalwart and well-bred aristocrats, while “honest” Mr. Jellyband is an archetype of the congenial and hardworking English innkeeper. French characters like Chauvelin, by contrast, are continuously associated with treachery, lack of creativity, and other unfavorable traits. As a result, the novel's tone oscillates between approving admiration (of British cultural values) and disdainful reproach (of the French).
Orczy’s attitude occasionally diverges from that of her characters. At several points in the novel, Marguerite passionately attempts to justify the role she played in the execution of the Marquis de St. Cyr and his family. But while Marguerite is somewhat loyal to the ideals of the French Revolution, Orczy certainly isn’t. As a result, these attempts are unconvincing, and the slightly ironic and self-aware tone of these passages signals to the reader that they are not meant to agree.
