The final chapter of Paul Sonnino’s historical detective story describes the treatment of the jailed prisoners, specifically that of Eustache Dauger, or the Man in the Iron Mask, and Fouquet, the former minister of finances. In this section Sonnino claims that Dauger survived thirty-four years in jail by adopting homosexual tendencies. This passage is necessary because it clarifies the end of Eustache Dauger’s life and explains that the treatment of the prisoners depended on the king’s will. Nevertheless, the homosexual aspect is not the focus of the chapter and seems rushed and makes assumptions.
Concluding the mystery of the Man in the Iron Mask, Fouquet and Dauger are imprisoned because they threatened the king’s goal of making war with …show more content…
Fouquet corrupted his valets, who helped him try to communicate with the outside world. Lauzun, a former favorite of the king who tried to prevent the Dutch war but was arrested, used his chimney to create a passage from his apartment to Fouquet’s apartment. This does raise the question of how Eustache Dauger stayed sane for thirty-four years in jail, especially since part of that time he was in isolation. It is probable that Dauger did not stay sane because in Lauzun’s biography, Lauzun states “Fouquet tapp[ed] his finger against his head, as one does when one means someone is touched.” This could mean that Dauger’s time in isolation may have made him go insane. However, Sonnino states that Dauger’s homosexuality was his ticket to survive in the jail based on Dauger’s complacency, resignation, and docile behavior and Blainvilliers’, the cousin of Dauger’s warden, claim that Dauger was the male fantasy. Blainvilliers testimony and Dauger’s character traits are not proof, and this claim is based off of stereotypes, therefore unnecessary to include in the final chapter. While some claims may come with an inkling of truth, it is not enough to support the idea that Dauger participated in homosexual activities in jail.
Chapter nine provides closure to the Man in the Iron Mask, but it could do without Dauger’s rumored homosexuality. Dauger may have resorted to homosexual behavior to survive in jail but there is not enough evidence to support the claim. As Sonnino said “secrets died with Eustache Dauger” and the truth of what happened while he was in jail could have been one of
Concluding the mystery of the Man in the Iron Mask, Fouquet and Dauger are imprisoned because they threatened the king’s goal of making war with …show more content…
Fouquet corrupted his valets, who helped him try to communicate with the outside world. Lauzun, a former favorite of the king who tried to prevent the Dutch war but was arrested, used his chimney to create a passage from his apartment to Fouquet’s apartment. This does raise the question of how Eustache Dauger stayed sane for thirty-four years in jail, especially since part of that time he was in isolation. It is probable that Dauger did not stay sane because in Lauzun’s biography, Lauzun states “Fouquet tapp[ed] his finger against his head, as one does when one means someone is touched.” This could mean that Dauger’s time in isolation may have made him go insane. However, Sonnino states that Dauger’s homosexuality was his ticket to survive in the jail based on Dauger’s complacency, resignation, and docile behavior and Blainvilliers’, the cousin of Dauger’s warden, claim that Dauger was the male fantasy. Blainvilliers testimony and Dauger’s character traits are not proof, and this claim is based off of stereotypes, therefore unnecessary to include in the final chapter. While some claims may come with an inkling of truth, it is not enough to support the idea that Dauger participated in homosexual activities in jail.
Chapter nine provides closure to the Man in the Iron Mask, but it could do without Dauger’s rumored homosexuality. Dauger may have resorted to homosexual behavior to survive in jail but there is not enough evidence to support the claim. As Sonnino said “secrets died with Eustache Dauger” and the truth of what happened while he was in jail could have been one of