The book portrays three central characters: the leader of the Vendée rebels, the Marquis de Lantenac, his great-nephew Commander Gowen, and Gowen's tutor and special commissioner of the Public Security Committee, Simurden. The book unfolds a complex plot around them, vividly describing the historical scene of the life-and-death struggle between the bourgeoisie and the feudal forces in 1793. At the end of the novel, Lantenac, who escaped death, returned to the burning castle to rescue the three children because of his conscience; Gowen was moved by his great-uncle's humanitarian spirit and was willing to exchange his head for Lantenac's life; Simurden shot himself at the same time Gowen's head fell to the ground.
本书塑造了旺代叛军首领朗特纳克侯爵和他的侄孙司令郭文, 以及郭文的家庭教师、公安委员会特派员西穆尔登这三个中心人物。围绕他们展开了错综复杂的情节, 生动地描写了资产阶级和封建势力在1793年生死搏斗的历史场面。在小说最后, 死里逃生的朗特纳克因良心发现, 返回大火焚烧中的城堡救出三个孩子; 郭文为叔祖的人道精神所感动, 情愿用自己的头颅换取朗德纳克的生命; 西穆尔登在郭文人头落地的同时开枪自尽。
本书塑造了旺代叛军首领朗特纳克侯爵和他的侄孙司令郭文, 以及郭文的家庭教师、公安委员会特派员西穆尔登这三个中心人物。围绕他们展开了错综复杂的情节, 生动地描写了资产阶级和封建势力在1793年生死搏斗的历史场面。在小说最后, 死里逃生的朗特纳克因良心发现, 返回大火焚烧中的城堡救出三个孩子; 郭文为叔祖的人道精神所感动, 情愿用自己的头颅换取朗德纳克的生命; 西穆尔登在郭文人头落地的同时开枪自尽。
