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Chapter 3
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Da Vinci Code, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Conspiracies and Secrets
Art and Symbolism
Faith vs. Knowledge
Sacred Femininity and Revisionist History
Power and Manipulation
Summary
Analysis
Fache gruffly leads Langdon down the pyramid’s marble stairs, past armed Judicial Police guards. The Louvre’s new subterranean lobby feels like a crypt. The museum’s security staff are being questioned while Fache’s men take over. Fache questions Langdon about his relationship with Saunière. Langdon answers truthfully that he never met the curator in person and was surprised when Saunière’s secretary reached out to request what was meant to be their first meeting. Langdon assumes Saunière wanted to discuss their shared artistic interests. He is working on a book about sacred feminine iconography, a topic about which Saunière was very knowledgeable. But no one but Langdon’s editor knows about his manuscript, which is controversial.
The Louvre has an eerie atmosphere, especially with the lack of daylight and police presence. Langdon has no significant connection to Saunière apart from admiring the curator’s work with symbols of sacred femininity, about which he is writing a book. It’s worth noting, as Langdon does here, that no one apart from his editor has read this latest manuscript, so it would be odd for Saunière to know of Langdon’s interest in the topic. In other words, Saunière’s reasons for wanting to meet Langdon are as mysterious as the circumstances surrounding his death.
Themes
Langdon reluctantly follows Fache into an elevator. He suffers from claustrophobia after falling down a well as a child. Fache asks if Langdon and Saunière corresponded, seeming surprised at their lack of a significant connection. Langdon notes Fache is wearing a crucifix, surprised at this overt show of Christianity. The Louvre’s galleries are lit by red light to mitigate the effects of overexposure on the art. None of the security cameras are real, as museums rely on containment—walling off potential thieves before they can steal artifacts. Fache tells the agents investigating Saunière’s office not to disturb them as they head for the Grand Gallery, where Saunière’s body was found. The way is blocked by iron gates, which Fache and Langdon must squeeze beneath.
Fache’s reaction to Langdon’s claim that he and Saunière were strangers implies he expected a closer relationship based on whatever evidence he's already discovered. The captain’s crucifix identifies him as a Christian who is confident enough to display his faith openly, despite his secular profession. The mention of gates used to trap potential thieves confirms that Saunière was trying to use the museum’s security system to his advantage earlier when fleeing from his attacker.
Themes
