Summary This Novel Is About the Adventures of a Young English Gentleman, Rudolf Rassendyll, in the Fictional European Kingdom of Ruritania
LITTLE THINGS by Julia. A. Carney
This is a very beautiful, interesting and simple poem written by Julia. A. Carney. This short poem shows the sensitive views of the poetess to the little things. The poetess tells us the importance of little things. She says that we should not ignore little things. The poetess has observed different blessings of the God. She convinces us by giving a few examples of the objects of nature around us. These things are not useless. Often little things in life indicate great changes. All big bodies are made up of little particles as little drops of water make mighty oceans. Little grains of sand make a vast land. Although the short moments of our life are humble yet they make endless ages. The poetess advises us that we should not take little deeds of kindness as worthless actions. Our small errors can lead us towards the deep valley of sins, in the same way our little acts of kindness and little deeds of love can make us dear in the eyes of our enemies and this world worth living.
Summary This novel is about the adventures of a young English gentleman, Rudolf Rassendyll, in the fictional European kingdom of Ruritania. Chapter 1: Rudolf Rassendyll decides to visit Ruritania to watch the coronation of King Rudolf the Fifth in the capital city, Strelsau. Rassendyll makes his way to Zenda, a small town in favour of Duke Michael, the King’s brother. Chapter 2: Rassendyll meets the King’s men, Colonel Sapt and Fritz von Tarlenheim in the forest of Zenda. He meets the King as well and discovers that they look extremely alike. They get on well and have a meal together on the night before the coronation. Unfortunately the King is drugged by his evil brother, Duke Michael, who wants the throne for himself. Chapter 3: Colonel Sapt persuades Rassendyll to impersonate the King so that the coronation can take place; there he meets the King’s betrothed, Princess Flavia. Chapter 4: With the coronation successfully accomplished in Strelsau, Rassendyll and Sapt return to where they had left the real King, only to find out that Duke Michael has him imprisoned in the castle of Zenda. It becomes Rassendyll’s task to continue acting as king. Chapter 5: Sapt and Fritz thinks that the real King is still alive as only three of Michael’s famous Six – a Frenchman (de Gautet), a Belgian (Bersonin) and an Englishman (Detchard) – are in Strelsau. They think the other three – the Ruritanians (Lauengram, Krafstein and Rupert Hentzau) – are guarding the King at Zenda. Rassendyll meets Michael and three of the famous Six while he is paying Flavia a visit. Chapter 6: Rassendyll receives a letter from Antoinette de Mauban, Michael’s French mistress. She doesn’t want Michael to become king and marry Flavia. Rassendyll meets Antoinette at a summerhouse, where he is nearly killed by the three of the famous Six. Rassendyll uses a tea table in the summerhouse to protect himself and manages to escape. Chapter 7: Rassendyll is told to ask Flavia to marry him. He finds it hard to play this part as he himself is falling in love with her. After he finds out that Flavia is in love with him and not with the real King, he tries to tell Flavia the truth, but Sapt interrupts just in time. Rassendyll decides to attack Michael at Zenda and free the King. He asks Marshal Strakencz to protect Flavia while he is ‘going hunting a wild pig’. Chapter 8: Rupert Hentzau comes to see Rassendyll to deliver a message from Michael. At the end of the meeting Hentzau tries to kill him; Rassendyll is wounded. Michael’s forest guard, Johann, falls into a trap which Rassendyll has set, and tells him about the Duke’s plans and the pipe called ‘the Path to Heaven’, which has been built to hide the King’s body. Chapter 9: Flavia comes to see Rassendyll when she hears he is wounded. Johann brings the news of the real King growing thin and ill, so Rassendyll, Sapt, Fritz and six men set out for the Castle of Zenda to rescue the King. Johann’s brother, Lauengram, Krafstein and three of the King’s men are killed in the fight. Rassendyll and Michael need to seem friendly in public, so Rassendyll gives out an order that no more private fighting is allowed in the future. The Chief of the Strelsau Police comes to Zenda at the request of the British ambassador, trying to find where Rudolf Rassendyll is. Rassendyll, acting as king, immediately sends him back to Strelsau. Chapter 10: Rassendyll learns that Rupert Hentzau is interested in Antoinette de Mauban and that he would turn against Duke Michael. Hentzau suggests that Rassendyll and he kill both Michael and the King in order to be with the women they love. Rassendyll makes a plan for a second attempt to free the real King because Rassendyll learns that the King is very sick, and also because he has been forced to fix the date for the wedding, which is only two weeks ahead. Chapter 11: Rassendyll’s plan goes awry as Hentzau goes to Antoinette de Mauban’s room to seduce her that night. Michael comes to her room and is killed. Rassendyll manages to kill de Gautet, Bersonin and Detchard, but both Rassendyll and the real King are wounded. Chapter 12: Rassendyll has a chance to kill Hentzau from behind, but he does nothing. Hentzau escapes into the forest of Zenda, and Rassendyll follows although he is tired and wounded. He wants to fight like a man, but Hentzau flees when he saw Fritz riding towards them. When Flavia finds Rassendyll in the forest, he tells her that he’s not the King. Chapter 13: The King is restored to his throne, and he is grateful to Rassendyll. They, however, have to make sure that the duplicity remains a secret from the people of Ruritania. Rassendyll and Flavia must part. Rassendyll goes back to England and lives quietly there. Only once a year he meets Fritz, who brings a red rose and a message from Flavia.
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THE PRISONER OF ZENDA
CHAPTER SUMMARIES
CHAPTER 1 Rudolf Rassendyll
Rudolf Rassendyll’s sister-in-law, Rose, urges him to do something useful with his life. Lord Burlesdon, Rassendyll’s brother, tells Rassendyll that he has found him a job as an attaché to Sir Jacob Borrodaile, an ambassador to Ruritania. As the job will only start in six months, Rassendyll decides to attend the Coronation of King Rudolf the Fifth, which is to take place in Strelsau, Ruritania
CHAPTER 2 Rassendyll Arrives in Zenda
Rassendyll leaves for Ruritania by train. He meets his friend George in Paris. George tells him about Antoinette de Mauban who is also travelling to Ruritania on the same train. The Coronation has sbeen brought forward. Rassendyll is unable to get a room to stay in Strelsau. He decides to spend the night at an inn in Zenda, a small town about fifty miles from the capital. He hears about the King, Duke Michael/Black Michael and Princess Flavia, and the fight for the throne. Johann, Duke Michael’s forest guard, tells Rassendyll that both Rassendyll and the King have red hair.
CHAPTER 3 Rudolf Rassendyll Meets King Rudolf the Fifth
The next morning, Rassendyll takes a walk in the forest. He meets Colonel Sapt and Fritz von Tarlenheim. They serve King Rudold and are loyal to him. They tell him that he looks exactly like their king except that he has a beard. At that moment King Rudolf appears. He is stunned by the resemblance between himself and Rassendyll. The King invites Rassendyll to the hunting lodge where he is staying. They have dinner and a few drinks. Josef, a faithful servant of the King,walks in with a bottle of wine, a gift from Duke Michael. The King finishes the wine all by himself. CHAPTER 4 Rassendyll Becomes Rudolf the Fifth
The next morning they discover that the King has been drugged. The drug was in the wine sent by Duke Michael. Since both the King and Rassendyll look alike, Sapt suggests that Rassendyll takes the place of the King and attends the Coronation. Fritz thinks it is a good idea too. Rassendyll agrees to take the King’s place.
CHAPTER 5 Rassendyll Arrives in Strelsau to Be Crowned
Rassendyll shaves his beard and wears the King’s uniform. The King is hidded in a cellar and Josef is to look after him. The old woman who cooked or them is tied up and left in another cellar. They take the train to Strelsau. Several ministers and the head of the Army of Ruritania are introduced to Rassendyll. No one realizes that he is not the real King. The Coronation procession begins
CHAPTER 6 Rassendyll Is Crowned King Rudolf the Fifth
The people of the New Town give the King a rousing welcome. There is hardly any trouble in the Old Town. Rassendyll rides bravely down the streets and wins the hearts of the townspeople. The procession stops at the Cathedral for the Coronation. Rassendyll is crowned King. Then Rassendyll meets Black Michael and Princess Flavia for the first time. The Princess tells him that she finds him rather different.
CHAPTER 7 Where Is the King?
Black Michael leaves for Senda. Both Sapt and Rassendyll also leave for Zenda .They use a secret passage to leave the Palace. They ride towards Zenda. Along the way they see Duke Michael and Max Holf [Johann’s brother] ride towards the Castle. At the lodge Rassendyll and Sapt find the cook missing and Josef dead. The King is missing too.
CHAPTER 8 Rassendyll Must Return to Strelsau as King
Sapt realizes that Duke Michael has captured the King. Sapt tells Rassendyll that he has to continue playing the part of the King until the King is saved. Eight of Black Michael’s men arrive to bury Josef’s body. Sapt and Rassendyll attack and kill three of them.A bullet hits Rassendyll’s hand injuring one of this fingers.
CHAPTER 9 The Famous Six
Rassendyll and Sapt reach Strelsau safely. Rassendyll carries out the King’s duties. Fritz informs them that Black Michael is back in Strelsau. Only three of Black Michael’s Famous Six are with him. Sapt believes that the King is alive and that the rest of the Famous Six are guarding him. Rassendyll leaves for an appointment with Princess Flavia. CHAPTER 10 Rassendyll Meets Black Michael and Three of the Famous Six
Rassendyll and Fritz ride off to Princess Flavia’s house.Rassendyll realizes that he is love with the princess. He knows that it is wrong as he is not the true King. Princess Flavia is pleased to meet Rassendyll, unaware that he is not the real King. Duke Michael also calls on the Princess. Rassendyll makes Duke Michael angry when he unknowingly kept Duke Michael waiting to see the Princess. Duke Michael introduces Rassendyll to the three men who are part of the Famous Six – Bersonin, De Gautet and Detchard .
CHAPTER 11 A Kind of Tea-party
Sapt informs Rassendyll that the King is being held prisoner in Zenda Castle. Rassendyll receives a letter from Antoinette de Mauban. She wants him to meet her as she has information that might save him. Rassendyll meets Antoinette. She says that Duke Michael forced her to write the letter. She tells Rassendyll about the Duke’s plan to take over the throne and marry Princess Flavia. She urges him to leae at once because three of the Famous Six are on their way there to kill him. They arrive and a fight breaks out. Rassendyll escapes unhurt.
CHAPTER 12 The Marriage Will Shortly Take Place
The next afternoon, Sapt informs Rassendyll that the Duke, his three men and Antoinette have left the city for Zenda. During a dance that night , both Rassendyll and the Princess confess their love for each other. Rassendyll realizes that she really loves him – Rudolf Rassendyll- and not the King. He wants to tell the Princess the truth but Sapt stops him. The news about the proposal spreads. The people are happy and they cheer for the couple.
CHAPTER 13 Love or Honour?
Rassendyll feels torn between his love for Flavia and being honourable to the King. He decides to rescue the King. Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz head to Zenda with ten other men.Sapt spreads the news that they are going hunting near Zenda. Before leaving, Rassendyll tells Marshal Strakencz to help rule the country until Princess Flavia is crowned Queen if anything happens to the King. Rassendyll and his men leave for the Castle of Tarlenheim.
CHAPTER 14 Rassendyll Revisits the Inn in Zenda
Duke Michael sends three of his Famous Six, the Ruritanians, to visit Rassendyll at the Castle. Rassendylolo meets Rupert of Hentzau for the first time. Rassendyll goes to the inn in Zenda with Fritz. He reveals himself as the AKing to the daughter of the innkeeper. He asks her to tell Johann to meet her at the bridge just outside Zenda at ten o’clock the next night. Sapt warns Rassendyll to be careful. Bernenstein was shot because he was mistaken for Rassendyll.
CHAPTER 15 Rassendyll Narrowly Escapes Death
Rupert of Hentzau brings a message from the Duke. Duke Michael offers Rassendyll a hundred thousand pounds to leave Ruritania.Rassendyll refuses the offer. Rupert stabs Rassendyll wih a dagger. He wounds Rassendyll on the left shoulder. Rupert escapes. Johann is caught.He tells Rassendyll about the King’s whereabouts in the old Castle and the danger the King is in if the castle is attacked. Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz decide that something has to be done quickly.
CHAPTER 16 Murder in the Moat
Johann reports that the King is ill and growing worse every day. Rassendyll, Sapt, Fritz and six men set out for Zenda Castle to rescue the King. Rassendyll goes down into the moat to find a way to rescue the King. He sees Max Holf sleeping in a boat in the moat and kills him. Three of the Famous Six [Rupert of Hentzau, Lauengram and Kaufstein] leave the castle. Rassendyll’s men fire at them. Rupert escapes by jumping into the moat. Lauengram, Kaufstein and three of Rassendyll’s men are killed in the fight. They are not able to help the King that night and they return to the Castle of Tarlenheim.
CHAPTER 17 Rupert of Hentzau and Madame de Mauban
The next morning, Rassendyll and Princess Flavia meet the Chief of Police while riding through the streets of Zenda. He informs Rassendyll that the British Ambassador is looking for a missing person [ Rudolf Rassendyll] . Rassendyll asks Rupert to join forces with him but Rupert refuses. Instead Rupert asks Rassendyll to join him in a plot to kill both the King and the Duke. Antoinette pleads with Rassendyll to rescue her from the Castle.
CHAPTER 18 Rassendyll Makes A Plan
The wedding date is fixed. The King has to be rescued before the wedding. The Duke is furious about the news of the wedding. There are more quarrels among the Duke, Antoinette and Rupert of Hentzau. The King is very ill. A doctor who is attending to the king is also a prisoner at the Castle. Rassendyll plans to rescue the King the next morning.
CHAPTER 19 Rupert of Hentzau Also Makes A Plan
Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz carry out their plan to rescue the King. Rassendyll sets out alone. He reaches Zenda Castle and climbs down into the moat. Rassendyll sees Rupert in Antoinette’s room.She is angry. Black Michael comes into Antoinette’s room. Rupert leaves. Rupert and De Gautet leave the castle. Then Rassendyll sees Rupert in the moat. Rupert swims in the direction of Antoinette’s room.
CHAPTER 20 Rassendyll Fights Bravely to Save the King
The light goes out in Antoinette’s window and a terrible scream is heard. The Duke and Rupert start fighting in Antoinette’s room. Other men join the fight. Rupert jumps out the window and into the moat. Rassendyll kills De Gautet.He takes the keys from De Gautet and goes to save the King. Rassendyll also kills Bersonin and Detchard .Rassendyll is wounded
CHAPTER 21 Danger for Rassendyll – and Danger for Rupert of Hentzau
Duke Michael is dead and Rupert is pleased. Sapt and his party reach the New Castle. Antoinette shoots at Rupert but she misses. Rupert runs away. Rassendyll, though very weak, chases after Rupert. Rassendyll attacks Rupert and he almost gets killed. Fritz reaches them in time to save Rassendyll.Rupert escapes.
CHAPTER 22 I Am Not the King
The king is safe. Princess Flavia hears that the King is seriously wounded. She rides to Zenda with the Marshal and some guards. Colonel Sapt meets them half way. Princess Flavia learns the truth about Rassendyll
CHAPTER 23 Honour Must Come Before Love
The King thanks Rassendyll for saving his life and the throne. Fritz takes Rassendyll to see Princess Flavia who is waiting for him in another room. They both know that they have to sacrifice their love for the sake of honour. Rassendyll leaves Ruritania.
CHAPTER 24 The Adventure Is Over
Rassendyll stays for a while in the Alps and then goes back to England. He refuses Sir Jacob Borrodaile’s job offer. He lives a quiet life in the country. He is still in love with Princess Flavia.Once a year he meets Fritz and his wife at a small town outside Ruritania. They talk about old times. Every year Queen Flavia and Rassendyll exchange red roses. http://form3englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/the-prisoner-of-zenda-chapter-summaries/