Montmorency's Revenge; The Protagonists

Describe the Protagonist in your book-qualities that they have, including physical description, and personality. Use exact examples (quotes) from your book to support!

As I already mentioned on my previous blog post, some of the protagonists in my book are Montmorency, Frank (Lord Francis Fox-Selwyn), Inspector Howard, Dr. Robert Farcett, and Malpensa.

Montmorency: Because this is the fourth book in the series, there aren't any physical characteristics of Montmorency mentioned in the book. But looking at the cover, Montmorency is tall, has dark eyes and eyebrows, and is bearded. Many of Montmorency's qualities are shown in the book. First of all, Montmorency is very clever. Right after the whole family made a code for Tom's mother and Gus to use, Montmorency understood that he and Frank would need a code as well, and soon he and Frank came up with one. He is also quite secretive. Although he is Tom's father, he had not revealed that fact yet. ("It was clear they assumed Tom was George's son. Montmorency had still not admitted that Tom was his son, and , as ever, the time did not seem right." - p.9) Montmorency is confident and reasonable; without hesitating he told Frank that his idea was ridiculous, and he gave perfectly good reasons on why Frank should help Inspector Howard on the investigation. ("No, Frank. You're not. You look a bit strange ti's true. But you'll never be able to disguise yourself completely." - p.2) Lastly, Montmorency is caring. When water was flooding Dr. Farcett's room, Montmorency helped the most. ("He helped his friend lift his feet onto the sopping bathmat and tied the towel around his middle." - p. 10)

Frank: Frank has pale skin, freckles, and did have pale eyebrows and red hair. At the start of the book he shaves his head and his eyebrows so he would somehow look different, which would enable him to go after his uncle's murderers. ("...as he saw the bald head and then the clumps of ginger curls scattered about the floor." - p. 2) ("Look at your eyebrows. your pale lashes." - p.2) ("Your pale skin and your freckles would give you away at once." - p.2) ("He dipped the razor into the water and started scraping away at his eyebrows." - p.3) Frank also seemed quite mad with his new look. ("With no eyebrows, Frank seemed crazed and wild, his face round and puffy, coloring up with rage." - p.3) For his qualities, Frank is defensive, loyal, and quite stubborn. In chapter 1 he defended Tom when his father Gus was scolding him. ("Stop picking on Tom. Stop blaming him for everything, Dad. You're always criticizing Tom." - p.3) He shows his loyal and stubborn side when he is trying to convince his dad to let him take vengeance on Malpensa. He insists that he goes after Malpensa, and no matter how much his dad disagrees his will stays strong and in the end permission is granted.

Inspector Howard: There is not much physical description of Inspector Howard, except that he was a gentleman and he looked professional. ("Looks a professional sort of chap." - p.30) Inspector Howard is quite persuasive, and he is straight to the point. Along with Montmorency and Frank he convinced Gus (Frank's dad, the Duke of Monaburn) by presenting all the bright sides of the mission, and reminding Gus that the actual purpose of the mission is to protect the royal family, and not to take revenge on Malpensa. Twice Inspector Howard is very straight to the point when 1) he tells Gus that he cannot get mixed up with a private vendetta, 2) he tells Montmorency that he himself cannot provide any protection if they break the English law. * p. 40 & 54*

Dr. Robert Farcett: Dr. Farcett is an old man, and Montmorency described him as a 'pathetic figure'. Other than that there isn't much physical description. Dr. Farcett is quite obsessive; especially with hygiene. He takes forever to take showers and to wash his hands, claiming that 'they are not clean'. *p. 10 -13* Dr. Farcett is also quite mad. After his love Maggie Goudie died in Tarimond died, he lost his mind.

Malpensa: Malpensa is foreign (Italian to be exact). He has a bad leg which causes him to limp, and he is seen wrapped in a heavy cloak. He is clever and evil, since he is the head of the anarchists. Although he controls the movement and the plans of the anarchists, Frank says Malpensa doesn't have courage because he never does the dirty work himself. (p. 17) Much about Malpensa is still a mystery.

Montmorency's Revenge; The Journey

Journey Book Project: What is the Journey in the book so far? Find a passage or quote that best describes that journey, write it (with page number) then explain what it means and why it is an important description of the journey.

First of all, I think I should explain the setting of the book I have chosen, Montmorency's Revenge. This book is the fourth book in the Montmorency Series which is set in the Victorian Era. So obviously the story is based in England. As the main characters there are Montmorency, Tom (Montmorency's son), the Duke of Monaburn Gus Fox-Selwyn, his sons Alexander and Frank, George the (deceased) twin brother of the Duke, Inspector Howard, Doctor Robert Farcett, and Malpensa. There are also other characters such as the wives and the servants including Harvey. In the previous books George Fox-Selwyn had been murdered by Malpensa, and Frank wishes to avenge his uncle's death. When Inspector Howard visits the Duke's castle, Frank's wishes are about to become true. The quote I choose is. 'There was a specific threat from Malpensa to target our royal family when they gathered for Queen Victoria's funeral ceremony' from page 18.

I chose this quote because it basically explains what journey this book is going to be about. Frank wanted to avenge his uncle's death although his father opposed it. When Inspector Howard comes, he tells the family that the Queen is very ill and that they are concerned about the royal family. Malpensa had been held responsbile for Uncle George's death, and it was also Malpensa whom sent the threat to the royal family. Since Frank had met Malpensa face-to-face in the past, Inspector Howard desires Frank's help in their investigation. I find this quote very important because it is where the two stories meet. Both Frank and Inspector Howard are after Malpensa, and with Montmorency's plan they can achieve their goal. So far I think this quote shows the journey the best because it explains for what purpose these people are working together, and what their quest is.