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The Da Vinci Code

Novel by Dan Brown

Published on March 18, 2003

Critical Approaches Used for Criticism

Formalist Criticism

The literary work utilizes a lot of complex and hidden text meaning. It requires analytical and great problem-solving skills. Clues and logical ways of thinking are greatly important in reading the literary work making me think that the book was made for highly intellectual people.

Below is the plot breakdown where we could see the elements of the story.

New Historicist or Historical Criticism

The literary work dealt with the history of Christianity. It draws fans to the theory of the Holy Grail truly being the holy bloodline of Jesus. Some of the history and ideas presented on it are true and some are false. This created a lot of controversies and disputes.

Psychological/Psychoanalytic Criticism

The literary work contains characters with questionable actions and decisions, making me question sometimes, why would they do such things. The antagonist Silas for example being an Opus Dei follower is instructed by The Teacher to locate the Holy Grail, killing whoever is needed to be killed to find it. This made me provide deeper analysis to better understand the character.

Reader-Response Criticism

The literary work questions the Christian faith but it doesn't fully grasp pushing you, the reader, to do such things. It only provides ideas and information that would be handled to the reader to decide, interpret, and reflect on their own self-conviction.

Sociological Criticism

The literary work focuses on the beliefs and values of the majority of society, Christians. It created a lot of controversy and arguments because others deemed it disrespectful, perceptive, or simply fun. A lot of cultural issues were tackled in the novel that fans and not fans find intriguing.

Feminist Criticism

The literary work delivers some female influence. It responds in many ways to new thinking about women in western culture. In the novel’s estimation, Mary Magdalene was a strong, independent figure, patron of Jesus, cofounder of his movement, his only believer in his greatest hour of need, author of her own Gospel, his romantic partner, and the mother of his child. The feminist interpretation of the novel is not to reduce its literary value to political value but to be of great help to further studies on this novel.

Book Review

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is the second novel in the Robert Langdon series, though it's undoubtedly the most famous and popular. The title itself, "The Da Vinci Code," grabs your attention and likely played a significant role in the book’s widespread popularity. The name “Da Vinci” immediately evokes thoughts of genius, mystery, and the Renaissance master’s iconic works like The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. By pairing Da Vinci’s name with the word “Code,” Brown suggests that hidden secrets are waiting to be uncovered, sparking curiosity and intrigue. This combination of historical resonance and the promise of a deep, enigmatic mystery naturally draws readers in.

In this novel, Robert Langdon is called upon once again, this time due to the murder of Jacques Saunière, the curator of the Louvre and the grand master of the Priory of Sion. As expected, another secret society and another conspiracy that could threaten the Church are at the center of the mystery. Langdon teams up with Sophie Neveu, a police cryptographer who also happens to be Saunière's granddaughter. Together, they work to unravel the cryptic clues left by her grandfather. The narrative also follows the actions of Silas, an albino monk, who is responsible for the killing.

What makes The Da Vinci Code and the Robert Langdon series as a whole so compelling is Dan Brown’s ability to weave together history, art, and symbology into a thrilling narrative. Brown excels at creating puzzles and mysteries that draw readers in, making them feel like they are uncovering hidden truths alongside Langdon. The way Brown blends fact with fiction is particularly fascinating. He takes real historical figures, artwork, and locations, and crafts a story that makes you question what you know about history. For instance, the idea that famous works of art like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper could contain hidden messages and secrets is an intriguing concept that keeps readers hooked.

Another strength of the series is its fast-paced, cinematic style. Brown's writing is highly visual, which makes the action scenes gripping and the mysteries even more engaging. In The Da Vinci Code, the chase through the streets of Paris, the secretive meetings in darkened church halls, and the race against time to prevent a monumental discovery from being made public all contribute to a sense of urgency and excitement. This, coupled with the intellectual puzzles, makes for a book that's hard to put down.

Even though The Da Vinci Code does revisit some of the themes and devices from Angels and Demons, it's still a testament to Brown's storytelling that he can keep readers on the edge of their seats. The series has a formula that works—a mix of thrilling chases, shocking revelations, and intellectual challenges. Each book takes this formula and applies it to a new set of mysteries, often involving different aspects of history or religion.

Despite some predictability, the series remains a great read because it continually explores new ideas and challenges what we think we know about the world. Whether it’s uncovering secrets hidden in ancient texts, deciphering codes embedded in art, or revealing the true purpose behind secret societies, Brown has a knack for creating stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

After finishing The Da Vinci Code, I didn’t feel compelled to continue with the rest of the Robert Langdon series immediately, but that’s more a reflection of my personal preferences than a critique of the series itself. The writing is solid, and even if some twists become predictable, the journey is still enjoyable. For many readers, the thrill of solving the mysteries alongside Langdon and the rich tapestry of history and conspiracy theories makes the series worth continuing.

When The Da Vinci Code was first released, it seemed to be everywhere, even making the list of all-time best-selling novels. If you enjoy mysteries with surprises on every page, this book is a great read. While it doesn’t introduce anything radically new, it’s still a thrilling experience. I would recommend it so you can judge for yourself if it lives up to the hype—and perhaps even dive into the rest of the series to see where Brown takes Robert Langdon next.

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Just Another Night At The Church

The cold breeze mixed with the rain droplets and the occasional bluster of cars along the highway signaled that evening had arrived. It was eight o'clock to be exact, and Andrew had just gotten off work. The day had been long, filled with the usual monotony and small frustrations that seemed to cling to him like a second skin. He was exhausted, but he didn't want to go home yet—the environment of his household was far from comforting. It was a place where the tension hung thick in the air, where every word spoken felt like stepping onto a minefield. Home was not a sanctuary for Andrew; it was a battlefield he preferred to avoid.

Instead, he decided to head toward the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish along Rizal Avenue for some meditation and contemplation. The church had become his refuge, a place where the weight of the world could be momentarily lifted. He had been coming here for a while now—every night for the past week, in fact—and each visit brought with it a strange mixture of peace and unease. The peace came from the stillness of the church, the familiar ritual of prayer. The unease came from the dreams.

On the way, Andrew noticed a little girl who looked like a beggar sitting on the sidewalk, her thin frame huddled against the cold. His heart tugged, and though he only had a crumpled twenty pesos left in his pocket, he handed it to her. The girl’s face lit up with a smile that was too bright for her weary eyes. "Thank you, sir," she said, her voice soft and melodic despite the roughness of her circumstances.

"What’s your name?" Andrew asked, kneeling down to her level, his voice gentle.

"Angel," she replied simply, as if there was nothing more to say. There was an innocence in her eyes that made Andrew’s heart ache. He gave her a final smile before standing up and continuing on his way, the girl’s name echoing in his mind like a prayer.

As he reached the church, the warm glow of the lighted candles along the altar rails greeted him, their soft flicker casting long shadows near the enormous gate at the entrance. The familiar sight was a small comfort, like an old blanket that had seen better days but still held the warmth of home. The rain had eased into a light drizzle, the droplets now tapping gently against the church’s roof, creating a rhythm that soothed Andrew’s frazzled nerves.

Stepping inside, Andrew noticed the stillness of the place. The only other people there were two nuns, deep in prayer, their rosaries clutched in their hands. The beads clicked softly as they moved through their fingers, a sound that mingled with the rain and the flickering of the candles. He approached them quietly, offering a respectful "mano," which they acknowledged with warm smiles before returning to their prayers.

Andrew made his way down the center aisle, the soles of his shoes echoing softly against the marble floor. The grandeur of the church never failed to strike him—the high, vaulted ceilings that seemed to stretch up to heaven, the stained-glass windows that depicted scenes of faith and sacrifice, their colors muted in the evening light. He paused at the altar, bowing his head in reverence before finding a seat in one of the pews.

He knelt on one of the prie-dieu, the wooden kneeler creaking softly under his weight, and began to pray. Andrew is a gay man living a difficult life—an unstable job, a broken family, a father who didn’t understand him, who barely even tried. Tonight marked his seventh consecutive visit to the church, and today was his birthday. Each night, he prayed for a better life, a brighter future, a chance to escape the sorrow that clung to him like a shadow. He was weary of the pain, the bullying, the constant feeling of being unwanted. More than anything, he wanted peace—a peace that had eluded him for as long as he could remember.

The dreams had started on his second visit. At first, they were fleeting, barely-there glimpses of something strange—a shadow in the corner of his eye, a whisper that seemed to come from nowhere. But as the nights went on, the dreams became more vivid, more insistent. They filled his sleep with visions of angels and darkness, of voices that spoke in riddles and promises that seemed just out of reach. And yet, despite the fear they brought, Andrew kept returning to the church, drawn by something he couldn’t explain. Perhaps it was hope. Perhaps it was desperation. Perhaps it was both.

As he prayed, Andrew's eyes drifted to a statue of an angel at the altar. It was a beautiful sculpture, its wings spread wide, its face serene, yet there was something about it that always unsettled him. The way its eyes seemed to follow him, no matter where he stood. The way its presence seemed to fill the church with an almost tangible sense of watchfulness.

For a moment, it seemed to move. The candles flickered and then were abruptly snuffed out, plunging the church into darkness. The silence was so thick it pressed against his ears. The nuns had vanished, and the doors were now shut tight. Panic surged through Andrew’s veins, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. He tried to move, but his limbs were frozen; he tried to speak, but his voice wouldn’t come.

The angel statue’s eyes glowed a ghostly white as it spread its large wings, the wooden joints creaking as it moved toward him. In a profound voice, it said, "Do not be afraid."

Andrew was speechless, barely able to believe what he was seeing. He struggled to calm himself before softly asking, "Is this real?"

The angel statue responded, "Andrew, your father is listening."

Tears welled up in Andrew's eyes as he wondered if he was dead or merely hallucinating. "I know you've been through a lot, but you need to be patient in life, Andrew. Things will get better. Tomorrow will be better. It might be stormy now, but it never rains forever."

"I can't take it! I am so tired and burned out. I've been beaten by my father, bullied, and discriminated against since school, and it hasn't stopped. I can't endure any more of this—please, take me," Andrew pleaded, his hands shaking, red from clasping too tightly in desperation.

"Andrew, be brave and don't give up. This is but a chapter of your life; promising days are coming. Your story doesn’t end here," the statue reassured.

Andrew continued to cry, his mind racing with negative thoughts. He felt as though he was drowning in darkness. For a moment, he found a brief peace—but then everything faded away, and he passed out.

When he came to, the two nuns were gently shaking him awake, offering him water. They embraced him tightly, explaining that they had seen him crying and then suddenly faint. Andrew reassured them that he was fine, just tired from work. As they walked him out, Andrew thanked them and started heading home.

The cool night air hit his face as he stepped out of the church, the world around him quiet and still. Andrew had experienced these dreams before, but something about them drew him back night after night. They frightened him, yes, but they also offered a strange comfort—a promise that things could change, that his suffering wasn’t without purpose.

As he walked along the streets under a sky filled with a thousand stars, he was surprised to see the little girl from earlier. She approached him and handed him a small cupcake adorned with white icing and brown chocolates. It was the same girl to whom he had given his last twenty pesos. After giving the cupcake, the girl ran off, shouting, "Happy Birthday!"

Andrew smiled, grateful, and thanked her. As he looked up at the cross atop the roof of the old cathedral, visible from miles away, he whispered to himself, "Just another night at the church. I'll be back tomorrow."

And as he walked away, the shadows seemed a little less dark, the weight on his shoulders a little lighter.

Tomorrow would come, and with it, perhaps, a new beginning.