Scaramouche?

Question

In the book Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini, is the main character (Andre-Louis) dynamic? That means does he change, characteristically, throughout the story? How is he given depth? Please, if you can, give me passages describing his change (if any) or passages that characterize him well. Thank you! I know, not many people have read this book... Sorry about that....

I know what happens in the story, i'm reading the book! I just need information on how A-L is dynamic and stuff.

Answer 1

The robe
André-Louis Moreau, educated as a lawyer lives with his godfather, M. de Kercadieu, who refuses to disclose Moreau's parentage. One day, his friend Philippe de Vilmorin is forced to duel with the Marquis de la Tour d'Azyr and is killed for his "gift of eloquence" on the matter of the Third Estate and the Priviledged. Moreau then vows to avenge the death, and sets off from his hometown of Gavrillac for Rennes to complain to the King's lieutenant. After being brushed off, he joins a large political gathering, and, much to the surprise of his peers, he delivers convincing rhetoric, leading to further protests across the countryside. This sets the stage for the French Revolution, and makes Moreau a wanted man.

The buskin
Escaping south, he stays overnight in a barn, and is awoken by two young lovers frantically talking about avoiding a disapproving father. As the scene unfolds before him, Moreau realizes that they are actually actors, practicing a skit. He then approaches the troupe, and introduces himself as a lawyer from Gavrillac. He agrees to work as a stagehand and carpenter, and goes into town with them. One night, he is asked to fill in for another actor, and at first declines. He is however forced to do it because Pantaloon, the leader, saw a poster offering a reward for André-Louis, thus blackmailing him into working. He gives a convincing performance, leading to higher and higher profits.
Moving from town to town, Moreau exercises greater control over the group due to his creative talents which exceed those of the leader, Pantaloon, who becomes rather jealous. One day in Nantes, Moreau sees his Godfather's daughter, Aline, and finds out that la M. de la Tour d'Azyr - to whom she is engaged - is in town and going to see André-Louis' play. That night, during a monologue, Moreau delivers another revolutionary speech and causes a riot.

The sword
Moreau is now forced to go into hiding. He finds a fencing academy seeking "a young man of good address with some knowledge of swordsmanship". Moreau bluffs his way into apprenticeship with M. des Amis, the Maître en fait d'Armes (Master of Arms). Over time, he develops his own style of fencing, based on calculations of different moves. With the outbreak of the French Revolution, M. des Amis dies, and André-Louis inherits the school. When he is established at the school, he attempts a reconciliation with his godfather. The reconciliation, however, was brief. For when Moreau took a seat in the new Congress, Moreau's godfather renounced him again and forbade him to come near the house. The whole purpose of his taking a seat in the Congress was to kill the noble senators who, being more familiar with the sword than the lawyers of the Third Estate, would force them into duels. He succeedes in killing or disarming all who challenge him. Finally, André-Louis manages to goad the Marquis to challenge him to a duel. Finally he can confront the murderer of his childhood friend, Philippe de Vilmorin. Having heard of this, Mme. de Plougastel, a relative whom he has seen only twice in his life, rides into Nantes with Aline to stop the duel. She does not arrive in time, and later finds out that the Marquis was wounded, though not fatally.
Mme. de Plougastel and Aline are forced to hide in an apartment during the war, and one night, both the Marquis and Moreau end up in the room. La Tour d'Azyr draws a pistol, and Mme. de Plougastel throws herself in front of him and confesses that she and the Marquis are Moreau's real parents.