Kirsten Ashley C.

Lin GT - VI

ENGLISH - VI Mr. Christian Binayug

BOOK TITLE : The Da Vinci Code

Author : Dan Brown

Publisher : Doubleday (United States) Transworld and Bantam books (United Kingdom)

Date Published : April 2003

Genre : Mystery, Conspiracy, Fiction, Thriller

Number of Pages : 489 pages

PLOT

The plot of the story was written in present day and it started when the Louvre curator Jacques
Sauniere was killed inside the museum, thus started a manhunt for the killer. The curator leaves a message
that the police believes to be the killer of him. On the other hand, Robert Langdon, a world renowned
professor of art and symbology, of the Harvard University, was summoned by the Vatican police lead by
Bezu Fache, in relation to the case. Having no idea of what was about to unfold, he accepted the invitation
seeing only the picture of the victim. His curiosity was raised too much upon seeing the picture.

Upon arrival on the crime scene, he was met by a beautiful lady named, Sophie Neveu, a French National
Police cryptographer and is the granddaughter of the victim Jacques Sauniere. Langdon, on the other hand
was impressed with the lady while listening to her investigation of the crime scene. He was given an
overview of the messages left by the curator. Bezu Fache deleted some of the victim messages including
the name of Robert Langdon, however, Sophie Neveu had given signals to Langdon, that he was the prime
suspect. She orchestrated the escape of Langdon from the hands of the Vatican Police, believing that
Langdon is the key to the reason of the crime.

Upon leaving the premises of the museum, Langdon and Sophie, started to follow the clues given to them
by the Sauniere, and believe that they were searching for something important.

Meanwhile, an organization called Opus Dei is having a dilemma. The Vatican will be taking out their
support on the organization in six months’ time. Bishop Manuel Aringorosa, the leader of the organization
was too disturbed of the news that he was so distracted. Silas, his albino faithful follower, has seen his
master’s distraction and asked about the problem. Bishop told him and was surprised of the turn of events.
A call from the “teacher”, telling both of them on how to get something important will make the Vatican
rethink their decision. This thing will save the Opus Dei and at the same time exposed the Vatican’s
biggest lie top mankind. The bishop and Silas listened eagerly to the “teacher” talks about a keystone that
will lead them to the Holy Grail.

The “teacher” then instructed the bishop and his faithful follower, Silas to stop their communication with
each other and with the help of the bishop, made Silas promised to do the bidding of the “teacher”.

Unknown to Bishop Aringorosa, the “teacher” contacted Silas, to tell him that in order for them to get to
the Holy Grail, he needs to kill the four top members of the Priory of Sion (three senechaux and one grand
marshal), thus leading him to the killing of Sauniere. Priory of Sion is the nemesis of the Opus Dei. The
Priory of Sion, thus hold and protect the secret of the Holy Grail.

On the other hand, Langdon and Sophie was able to elude the police and was able to follow a track that
lead them to the Depository Bank of Zurich where they were able to retrieve a keystone with the help of the
bank’s president Andre Vernet. Vernet already have an idea of the predicament of Langdon and Sophie,
help them get out from the bank upon retrieving the “treasure”. He had no idea of what was retrieve from
the safe box. However, he helped them to save their bank from facing issues from the authority and for the
promise that was made to their important client, his friend Sauniere.

After escaping from the bank, he contacted his long-time friend, Sir Leigh Teabing. Leigh Teabing is a
British Royal Historian, a grail scholar, and a Knight of Realm, and has a villa where he brought Langdon
to hide them from the police authority. On the villa, Langdon and Sophie discussed to him what really
happened on the museum and was surprised of the things that were discussed to them and realized what
they were really looking for. While discussing the matter, the “teacher” called Silas, and informs him that
the Langdon and Sophie are in the villa, to which Silas can retrieved the information of the Holy Grail
whereabouts. Silas came in and was about to kill Sophie and Langdon, however, Sir Leigh were able to
knock him down with his crutches thus making them escape from the villa, still with Silas, unconscious and
tied up. All of them leave with Teabing’s private jet and drove them to Temple Church. It was then
revealed that Remy was also working for the “teacher” and kidnapped Sir Leigh Teabing. Remy also
revealed to Silas that he was also working for “teacher” and help him escaped from the others. He also
panicked when Langdon threatens to destroy the keystone, thus revealing his true identity making the
“teacher” wanted to rid of him. Remy was successful in staging the kidnapping though, but with what
happened the “teacher” killed him by meeting with him and given him a cognac with peanuts on it. Remy is
allergic to nuts, though. The “teacher” praised him for the job well done and let him drank the cognac after
a toast. Upon realizing his mistakes, Remy could only look on to his killer.

On the other hand, the “teacher” contacted Silas to go rest at the Opus Dei Centre and heads off to the
Westminster Abbey to meet with Langdon and Sophie. Bishop Aringorosa, on the other hand, discovered
the scheme that the “teacher” has done, and he went to find Silas to stop him from killing people. Upon
learning that Silas is at the Opus Dei Centre, he went to it only to find out that Silas is in gun battle with the
police. He went in to stop Silas, apparently, he was shot by Silas himself. Upon realizing his mistake,
Silas, came at the side of the bishop and ask forgiveness. This is where the police came in and fired on
Silas. Silas, died on the hands of Aringorosa that time.

The ‘teacher” knows that the next clue provided to Langdon and Sophie will lead them on this place. He
came in first, before the two, and listens as they discussed the answer to the keystone. However, the
“teacher” decided to reveal himself upon hearing of the discussion and surprised the two of who he really
was – none other than Sir Teabing himself. Teabing handed Langdon the keystone and told him to seek the
answer to the puzzle. Langdon then threw the keystone up in the air and Teabing tried to save it but it slips
his hands and crashes to the ground having it destroyed. Teabing was so furious of this but the police was
already in the scene and took Teabing away for the arrest. Langdon then, revealed to Teabing that he has
already guessed the password and retrieved the final clue inside. This makes Teabing see red but he can’t
do anything at all.

Langdon and Sophie followed the last clue and it was then revealed that Sophie, the granddaughter of the
grand marshal of the Priory of Sion, was the descendants of the Holy Grail. She was the last bloodline of
the Holy Grail. It was then, Sophie and Langdon parted ways. Langdon was swear off not to tell a soul the
whereabouts of the Holy Grail thus what it is really. Langdon was staying at the hotel and it was his last
night when something tickled on his mind and found out that he was really near the “rose line” where he
believed that the “Holy Grail” was buried. He then followed the clue and was surprised to see that the
inverted triangle where the two points meet is where the Holy Grail was buried.

SETTING

The novel travels through New York, Paris, London, and Edinburgh, Scotland (the home of Sophie
Neveu). However, Robert Langdon’s journey ends at Louvre Museum, Paris.

CHARACTERS OF THE STORY

MAJOR CHARACTERS

Robert Langdon He is a Harvard Professor of history of art and symbology, He was also the
prime suspect of the Murder of Jacques Sauniere, who later on was accompanied
by Sophie Neveu to solve the case. In the of the trail of the killer, later on found
that the murder is all about the “holy grail”, which the concept is still
a taboo to the Vatican Church, thus making this murder sensational if leaked.

Sophie Neveu The granddaughter of Jacques Sauniere and a French National Police
Cryptographer and also the one who helped Langdon in finding her
grandfather’s killer. They later on found out that the murder of her grandfather
was all about her sacred bloodline, according to the Royal Historian, Sir Leigh
Teabing.

Sir Leigh Teabing He is a British Royal Historian, a Knight of the Realm, and a Grail
scholar and one of Professor Langdon’s friend. He house Langdon
and Sophie when being pursued by the police and help them escape
Silas when attacked by him at his villa. But the biggest twist of all,
he is the “teacher”, the brainchild on the attack and the attempt to expose
the “Holy Grail”. He wants a revenge against the Church for tainting the
“Holy Grail”. He wants the world to know how the Church manipulates
some important information regarding the history and truth about Jesus.
MINOR CHARACTERS OF THE STORY

Silas He is the killer of all the senechaux and the grand marshal of the Priory of Sion,
the rival of Opus Dei, the organization who saved him from his misfortune with
the help of Bishop Aringorosa, its leader. He learned that the Vatican will
withdraw their support on the organization which leads both him and the bishop to
consider the “teacher’s” bidding to find the Holy Grail. He was given all the
information needed and succeeded in killing the four members of the Priory.
He followed the “teacher” until his end where he found out that they were being
played at, however it’s already too late. He was shot down by the police.

Jacques Saunire The grand marshal of the secret society – Priory of Sion, that holds the key to the
“Holy Grail”. He pledged his utmost loyalty to the society and together with his
three senechaux, protected the secret. However, Silas murdered him and that
started the quest for the secret of the Holy Grail. He was also the grandfather
of Sophie Neveu.

Bishop Manuel He is the Head of the Opus Dei Organization. Upon learning that
Aringorosa the Vatican will withdraw their support on the organization in six
months’ time, panicked and was so vulnerable when the “teacher” spoke
to him on how to make the Vatican to be in their favour again. He then
allowed cooperation on the mission upon learning the biggest secret that
will make the Vatican cringed when they found out. He also included his
loyal follower, Silas, on this mission. However, he learned that they
played and used for personal gain of the “teacher”, look for Silas to stop
him but apparently everything was too late and Silas died on his hands.

Bezu Fache He is a captain in the Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciare, and was
in-charge on the murder of the Louvre’s curator, Jacques Sauniere.
Upon arriving at the crime scene, for some information that he decided to
omit some information so as not to arise suspicion on his prime suspect
Robert Langdon. After several twist and turns on his investigation, later
found out that Langdon himself is the clue to who the killer was.

Andre Vernet The president of the Swiss Bank that help Sophie and Langdon to escape from the
police. He drove Sophie and Langdon to Teabing’s villa believing that he is
helping his friend, Sauniere’s granddaughter. However, upon learning the murders
that connects Langdon and Sophie, he tried to retrieve the wooden box from them.

Remy Legaludec He is the master butler of Sir Leigh Teabing and was connected to the “teacher”.
He staged a kidnapping scene of Teabing as per instructed by the “teacher” and
later on was killed by the “teacher” himself by poisoning his cognac with peanuts.
Legaludec is allergic to peanuts and it is fatal.

Sister Sandrine Bieil She lives at the Church of Saint-Sulpice and holds the list of the members of the
Priory of Sion that she needs to call in case someone digs up the “rose line” in
the church itself. The digging on the exact location of the “rose line” serves as a
warning that the “holy grail” is in danger. She was murdered by Silas after
learning that she deceived him.
Marie Chauvel The grandmother of Sophie Neveu and the wife of Sauniere and together with
Sophie’s brother, kept the “holy grail” in Scotland. A secret place that was
guarded by the last bloodline of the Knights Templar. She was reunited with
Sophie after years of Sophie believing them dead.

CONFLICT OF THE STORY

The death of the Louvre curator Jacques Sauniere, was one of the conflict of the story. He was
murdered and its triggers the main conflict which was the protection of the “sacred bloodline” of the “Holy
Grail”. The sacred bloodline was then put to jeopardy by a great scholar that only wants to put Vatican on
shame by telling the omitted “facts” in the story of Jesus.

RESOLUTION OF THE STORY

The resolution was that of really knowing the killer of the three senechaux and the grand marshal
of the Priory of Sion which is Jacques Sauniere. In addition to this, the discovery of Sir Leigh Teabing as
the mastermind of the plot and his arrest resulted to the reunion of the “sacred bloodline” with her family.
And as for Langdon, he was able to locate where the “Holy Grail” is and understand what really is the
“Holy Grail”.

STORY ANALYSIS

The book started its narration to a murder on a place where it is impossible to happen is really a curiosity
for me. The description of the crime on both the victim and the killer’s point of view catch my full
attention. It really stirred my imagination and being followed with striking clues that really got me hooked
on the story.
The book was for me was a gold mine. Reading it was like a trip to the past. Every description of the
artworks and places and buildings on the story really made me think that the writer really made it for us to
rethink our beliefs.
Langdon, the main character was not only a mind boggling character with all his knowledge about the
history, the artworks and the anagrams and hidden messages, you can really see that he is not an ordinary
person from the start. He was really on to his craft and his craft is not that of very common, it was really a
complicated and exciting one.
Being paired to a “lady in distress” – the clue less Sophie and a very intelligent antagonist really hit the
roof for me. In fact, I even sat down for character discussion with my mother while watching the movie as
well after reading the book. The movie has flaws and changes on it though, but not that much. However,
the book tells a different tale; the clues on the artworks were meticulously written. The artworks were
well-researched and very informative.
The plot has the big twist on it that even I was surprised to know. I was also surprised on to the extent of
those on the House of God could do in order for them to make sure that their churches and organizations
are well-provided. The plot will really make you rethink of its possibility on the history and the
conspiracies on it are very remarkable.
RECOMMENDATION

If you are into some thriller / mystery genre, this book is a very good start. With the remarkable
twist and turns on the story, the conspiracies played on this story are enough to make sure that it’s a page
turner. Every page keeps you at the edge of your seat, that every pause, it will make you think what will
happen next. During the clue hunt on each of the artworks used, especially the Last Supper of Da Vinci, it
really got me curious to the point of looking all documentaries and research about the painting. Everything
that was discussed on that specific painting, I look it up and check if the clue was there and yes it\s there.
The book is really a fun to read.
However, as for the disclaimer, upon seeing the movie where everything was discussed very
thoroughly, it could really make us question our beliefs. It could really stir our mind of what to believe on
the claims of the church and what not. With the involvement of some priest and high churchmen onto
some of important events on the history (Knight Templar Trial and Murder), there could really be a
conspiracy among the church and its members. And during those times, people communicate secretly and
there can really be secret society alliances that silently protest against the Church. The very meticulous and
informative facts presented on the story, can be enough to destroy some of our beliefs, thus this book and
movie earns various criticism on all points especially on the Church. This was also not shown on some
parts of the world, as they see this movie as taboo.
On my part, I was not shaken though. I have watched lots of documentaries regarding this kind of
artworks, and no one can claim what the movie has claimed as secret code to some magnanimous secret
such as that. Only those people rather the artists can claim what really is the meaning of their own creation.
The artist themselves are the one who carries whatever reason he had while painting. And also with the
help of my mother, she explained to me that not all the things being portrayed in the movie or book were
based on facts. There is always a line between the real and reel.
Try reading this book, if you want a story that will keep you always at the edge of your seat. After
all, this is only one part of a Dan Brown series.