understanding the novel : prisoner of zenda

7/29/2019 Understanding the Novel : Prisoner of Zenda

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Understanding the Novel :The Prisoner of Zenda by Daniel Defoe

By :

ABIDAH BT SARAJUL HAQEnglish Language Master Teacher

Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman , Ipoh

A Strategy for Reading the Novel

A story is a fictitious tale that is written to entertain or to amuse the reader. A

novel is the same as a story but it is longer and more complex. To understand a story or

novel, you need to understand the SIX elements used by the authors when they write astory or a novel.

The Plot of PRISONER OF ZENDA

The Prisoner of Zenda is a great classic adventure story.The story begins whenRudolf Rassendyll,an Englishman travels to the kingdom of Ruritania.Here,he finds that

he bears a striking resemblance to the king of that land, King Rudolf.He has a half-

brother by the name of Black Michael ,who is also called the name Duke Of Strelsau.Since the King has not been yet crowned ,Black Michael intends to take over he throne

and be the king.He sends a bottle of drugged wine to King Rudolph so that he will be too

drunk to attend his own coronation.

Fortunately,Rassendyll is there to save the kingdom.Since he resembles the

king ,he can stand in for him during the coronation.Later,Rassendyll meets PrincessFlavia and they both fall in love.Meanwhile King Rudolph is imprisoned in the castle at

Zenda.Rassendyll then plans with Colonel Sapt to save the King from the dungeon in the

castle.

There is a quarrel between Rupert Of Hentzau, the leader of the famous sixand Black Michael over the beautiful Madame de Mauban. Then Rupert kills Black

Michael. Rassendyll takes this opportunity to rush into the Old Castle and successfully

rescues the King. When Princess Flavia hears that the King is wounded, she comes toZenda to see him .Later, she finds out the truth about Rassendyll.

The King thanked Rassendyll for saving his life. Both Rassendyll and PrincessFlavia have to keep their undying love as a secret. Soon Rassendyll leaves Ruritania and

lives a quiet life in England. Every year,he will meet Fritz to receive news of Queen

Flavia, who is now married to King Rudolph V


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CHARACTERS

Characters are the first element to look for when reading a novel. Characters aremost often people but can be animals or even fictionalized beings like those seen in

cartoons or movies. The main character plays the biggest role and is often the first

character to be introduced. Most often the story is seen through the eyes of the main

character. Secondary or minor characters play a smaller supporting role and areintroduced throughout the story.

MAIN

CHARACTERS

Rudolf RassendyllBlack Michael

King Rudolf V Princess Flavia

MINOR

CHARACTERS

Fritz

Colonel Sapt

Rupert of Hentzau

Antionette de Mauban


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Setting

The setting is the second element that is found in a story or novel. The setting is the

location where the story takes place. A story may take place in a home, countryside,

town, school, or wherever the author chooses to have the action . The setting is usuallyrevealed very early in a story.

TimeThe time when the story takes place is the third element you should look for when

reading a story or novel. A story may take place very recently or many years ago. Usuallythe time when the story takes place is introduced very early in the story.

SETTING

TIME

Ruritania

Castle of Zenda

The Old & New Castle

18 th century Europe

During the reign of

King RudolfV

Inn in Zenda

Forest of Zenda

The hunting- lodge

England


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ConflictThe conflict is the fourth important element in a story or novel. The problem most often

grows out of a conflict between the main character and another character in the story. Aconflict can also involve feelings and emotions between two characters in a novel . Thus ,

it is one of the many obstacles that produces a conflict in life

Solution A solution is the fifth and final element in a story or novel. A solution is how theproblem is resolved or brought to an end. Most often the solution is revealed near the end

of the story. Sometimes the solution is not revealed until the very last page or even thefinal paragraph of the story. Recognising these story elements will help you understandthe novel better and enjoy a story, remember the story facts, and appreciate different

writing styles used by the authors.

CONFLICT

Rassendyll impersonates the

king

Both have to sacrifice

their love for the country But falls in love with

Princess Flavia

Flavia learns the truth

about Rassendyll

SOLUTION

King Rudolf marries Flavia and

becomes the queen. Every year

Rassendyll and the queen exchange

red roses with short cryptic

messages to show their everlasting

love. But Rassendyll spend the restof his life as a bachelor


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Themes

THEMES

Honour and Duty

Love and Sacrifice

Courage and Bravery

Crime and Punishment

Ask yourself these questions to check whether you have

understood the novel you have read.

Where does the story takes place (setting) ?

When does the story takes place (time) ?

Who tells the story (narrator) ?

Who is the main character (protagonist) ?

Who are the secondary characters ?

What is the sequence of important events (plot)

?

How does the book ends ?

understanding the novel : prisoner of zenda

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