English 102 - Multicultural Research Essay - The Three Musketeers

Question

I am having to write a research essay that compares a cultural element depicted in The Three Musketeers with research about that cultural element in history. Does it make sense with this prompt to write about the wars and rivalries going on at the time (England/France) and the differences between what is shown in the book and what actually happened? What would I name that cultural element?

Answer 1

I like Peter's answer a lot, and it's probably enough to get you going. But Dumas is one of my favorites, so I'll just add a few thoughts. "Clash of the Titans" is a cool idea for a title, but if you're looking for a more dry and informational way to describe "wars and rivalries" for a topic proposal or something similar, you could identify the cultural element as political intrigue. Certainly it's not a topic that was on the minds of every French person in the early 1600s, when the book is set, BUT a) it *is* a topic on the mind of almost every character in the book, and b) it was a topic more on the minds of the average *19th* century French citizen, when Dumas wrote it. Put another way, one direction of your research could look at why a mixed race Frenchman born during the aftermath of the French Revolution would, in 1844, write a book about a couple of soldiers getting caught up in the schemes of Kings, Queens, and Cardinals. I mean sure, swordfights are fun (that's certainly why I originally read the book), but what else was interesting about this to Dumas? Was he interested in politics, and what did politics mean to him? How does that affect the way you see the political shenanigans of Three Musketeers?

Another thought: a slightly different way to look at the cultural element you're describing is Church and State. As I hinted above, remember that the big political guys in the book are King Louis XIII, Queen Anne, *and* Cardinal Richelieu. Hey, what's a priest doing getting involved with wars and rivalries? Depending on what's most interesting to you, that's another way to frame the topic.

Have fun! You're off to a good start, and you're making me want to reread the book!

Answer 2

Hi Maddie,

Given the research report topic at hand, I would say that your idea for a prompt is a good one. Since all fiction (even the classics) is just that: fictional, it will never recall or reflect elements of world history to a T (or else it would be nonfiction and full of general information versus creating a more original storyline with a cast of characters and an underlying plot complete with corresponding conflicts and themes). Definitely identify and describe in thorough historical detail the factual components of the wars and rivalries going on at that time in history between England and France, and then follow up that writeup by creating in-depth comparisons to the events/plot developments, setting, and characters constituting the literary backbone of The Three Musketeers.

In terms of what you could name the given cultural element: you could go out on a limb (slightly) and use the metaphor of the Clash of the Titans. From there, you could draw in further historical examples (via footnoting) of the underlying conflicts between the Titans and the Olympians. But the rivalries between England and France still exist in smaller magnitudes to this day, with France and its native-born citizens regretting the fact that they "gave their country away." You should definitely exemplify and define in detail those cultural clashes between the English and the French--both then, and now, in your research essay.

I hope this helps. Feel free to let me know if you have any further questions and are interested in my tutoring services to help you as you write this interesting-looking research essay.