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KATIE ’ S KORNER :

GRAPHIC NOVEL TEACHER ’ S GUIDES
BY DR . KATIE MONNIN
The Rose of Versailles
Published by : Udon Entertainment Written by : Riyoko Ikeda Illustrated by : Riyoko Ikeda ISBN : 9781927925935 Ages : 13 +
Review
One of the most beautiful and historically articulate stories to come out over the holidays is UDON Entertainment ’ s new English translation of Riyoko Ikeda ’ s The Rose of Versailles ( 2019 ).
An extremely popular shojo manga , Ikeda ’ s The Rose of Versailles was initially serialized in Weekly Margaret in 1972 . UDON Entertainment has now published the first English language translation of the story , containing its first twentytwo chapters . Since the 1970s , the original telling of The Rose of Versailles by Ikeda ’ s has been adapted for the stage , anime , and feature films .
The Rose of Versailles opens with the birth of three significant children who will one day meet up and influence each others ’ lives during the reign of King Louis XVI at the court of Versailles .
Hans Axel Von Fersen is born in Scandanavias the very handsome and eldest son of a wealthy parliamentarian . Oscar Francois de Jarjeyes is the sixth daughter born to the Commander of France ’ s Royal troops in 1755 ; after having five daughters and hoping for years to have a son to inherit his royal role , Oscar ’ s father decides to raise her as a boy-soldier who will indeed inherit his legacy as Commander of France ’ s Royal troops . Finally , and most notably , the story also introduces readers to the birth of Marie Antionette on November 2 , 1755 and her future role at the court of Versailles .
Once grown , all three characters meet up at King Louis XVI ’ s court of Versailles . Oscar is the commander of Marie Antionette ’ s French Palace Guards and works closely with her servant Andre . Both Oscar and Andre observe and protect the French Royal Court during the latter half of the 1800s and the escalating possibilities of a French Revolution in response to the King ’ s court of Versailles ’ splendors .
Language Arts Elements of Story
Plot : Born female , Oscar Francoise de Jarjeyes is raised as a son by her father . After having five daughters , Oscar ’ s father wished for his sixth child to be a son . A son could inherit his title as Commander of the French Royal troops . When he discovers he and his wife have another daughter , however , he moves forward with his plan despite the fact that Oscar is a girl . Once grown , Oscar has the unique opportunity to witness King Louis XVI ’ s court at Versailles .
Key Characters : Hans Axel Von Fersen ( Captain ), Oscar Francois De Jarjeyes , Dauphine of France & Archduchess Marie Antionette Josephe Jeanne De Lorraine D ’ Autriche , Empress Maria Theresa of Austria , Marquise , W . A . Mozart , King Louis XV of France , Monsieur Le Dauphin Louis XVI of
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France / King Louis XVI of France , Minister Choiseul , Meister , Count De Mercy ( Austrian Chancellor of State ), Countess De Noailles , General De Jarjayes , Rosalie Lamorliere , Maman , House of Valois , Bourbon Dynasty , Jeanne , Andre Grandier , German University , Lady De Noailles , Mademoiselle Elisabeth , Madame Adelaide , Madame Victorie , Countess or Madame Du Barry , Marquise De Boulain-Villiers , Duchess D ’ Orleans , Countesses De Maurois & Maurepas , Countess Jules , Meister Gluck , Chancellor of State Kaunitz , Louis Philippe II , Gabrielle de Polastron , Henri de Guement , Count of Girodelle , Revolutionaries , Bernard Chatelet , Alain de Soissons , Madame de Polignac
Major Settings : Sweden , Versailles , Austria ; Paris , France
Major Themes : Historical European Politics & Political Alliances , Royalty and Nobility , Power , Love & Marriage , Education , 18th Century Social Etiquette , Jealousy
Lesson Plan Recommendations Using the Common Core Standards for Young Adult Readers
Key Ideas and Details CCSS . ELA-LITERACY . RL . 11-12.3
Analyze the impact of the author ’ s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama ( e . g ., where a story is set , how the action is ordered , how the characters are introduced and developed ). * The number ( s ) referenced above corresponds to the number used by the Common Core Standards ( www . core standards . com )
Lesson Plan Directions The Rose of Versailles begins with the birth of three main characters : Marie Antionette , Hans Axel Von Fersen , and Oscar Francois de Jarjeyes .
Since the story begins by highlighting their births and foreshadowing the three main characters ’ future roles in King Louis XVI ’ s court of Versailles , students should take notes on each character individually . These notes will include not only the characters ’ introductions ( both as babies and as members of the court of Versailles ), but also the settings , events , and final resolution they each experience .
The following note-chart helps students focus on these key elements of story per character .
1 . Marie Antionette a . First Appearance as a Baby and Knowledge Learned : b . Reason Character is at King Louis XVI ’ s Court of Versailles : c . Key Settings for this Character : d . Key Events this Character Experiences : e . Final Resolution for this Character
2 . Hans Axel Von Fersen a . First Appearance as a Baby and Knowledge Learned : b . Reason Character is at King Louis XVI ’ s Court of Versailles : c . Key Settings for this Character : d . Key Events this Character Experiences : e . Final Resolution for this Character
3 . Captain Oscar Francois De Jarjeyes a . First Appearance as a Baby and Knowledge Learned : b . Reason Character is at King Louis XVI ’ s Court of Versailles : c . Key Settings for this Character : d . Key Events this Character Experiences : e . Final Resolution for this Character
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