# Innocence and Exploitation in The Room in the Dragon Volant

> Theme guide for The Room in the Dragon Volant by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

The young, wealthy, and naive English protagonist is targeted by a sophisticated criminal conspiracy (the Count, Countess, and their accomplices) who exploit his romantic idealism and trust for financial gain.

## Where it surfaces

- [II: The Innyard of the Belle Étoile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/ii-the-innyard-of-the-belle-toile): The Countess appears vulnerable and possibly under the control of the Count, hinting at exploitation beneath the surface of aristocratic life.
- [Supper at the Belle Étoile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/v-supper-at-the-belle-toile): The narrator, a wealthy and naive young Englishman, is portrayed as a potential victim for the 'ghouls and harpies' of Paris, emphasizing his vulnerability to exploitation.
- [The Naked Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/vi-the-naked-sword): The Countess appears vulnerable and in need of protection, while Gaillarde's aggression exploits the situation.
- [XIX: The Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xix-the-key): The narrator's naive trust is exploited by the Countess, who manipulates his emotions for her own ends.
- [A Cup of Coffee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xxiii-a-cup-of-coffee): The narrator's trust is exploited by the Countess, who uses his affection to ensnare him.
- [XXIV: Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xxiv-hope): The narrator, a naive Englishman, is exploited and robbed by the Count and Countess, who take advantage of his vulnerability.
- [XXV: Despair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xxv-despair): The narrator's vulnerability is exploited by the conspirators for their own gain.
- [XXVI: Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/xxvi-catastrophe): The narrator's naivety is exploited by the conspirators, who use his own actions (ordering the funeral) to seal his doom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/themes/innocence_and_exploitation
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/themes