The Prisoner of Zenda by Daniel Defoe

By : ABIDAH BT SARAJUL HAQ English Language Master Teacher Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman , Ipoh

Understanding the Novel :

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 a story or a novel.

The Plot of PRISONER OF ZENDA

The Prisoner of Zenda is a great classic adventure story.The story begins when Rudolf 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 halfbrother 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 Princess Flavia 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 six and 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 to Zenda to see him .Later, she finds out the truth about Rassendyll. The King thanked Rassendyll for saving his life. Both Rassendyll and Princess Flavia 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

CHARACTERS
Characters are the first element to look for when reading a novel. Characters are most 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 are introduced throughout the story.

Black Michael

Rudolf Rassendyll

MAIN CHARACTERS King Rudolf V Princess Flavia

Fritz MINOR CHARACTERS

Colonel Sapt

Rupert of Hentzau

Antionette de Mauban

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 usually revealed very early in a story. England

Ruritania

Inn in Zenda

SETTING

Castle of Zenda

Forest of Zenda

The Old & New Castle

The hunting- lodge

Time
The 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. Usually the time when the story takes place is introduced very early in the story. 18 th century Europe

TIME

During the reign of King Rudolf V

Conflict
The 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. A conflict 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 Rassendyll impersonates the king

Both have to sacrifice their love for the country

CONFLICT

But falls in love with Princess Flavia

Flavia learns the truth about Rassendyll

Solution
A solution is the fifth and final element in a story or novel. A solution is how the problem 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 the final paragraph of the story. Recognising these story elements will help you understand the novel better and enjoy a story, remember the story facts, and appreciate different writing styles used by the authors. 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 rest of his life as a bachelor

SOLUTION

Themes
Honour and Duty

THEMES

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 ?