This engaging summary presents an analysis of Carmen by Prosper Mérimée, which tells the story of a notorious brigand called don José as he falls in love with the beautiful Gypsy of the title and abandons his promising career as a soldier to become a thief and murderer in a desperate attempt to win her affections. However, don José gradually comes to realise that Carmen will never love him as much as he loves her, and his jealousy soon spirals out of control, with tragic consequences. Carmen's evocation of a relatively unfamiliar world, meticulous attention to detail and heart-wrenching story have captivated generations of readers and elevated its freedom-loving heroine to mythical status. Prosper Mérimée was a French author, historian and archaeologist who is best known for his short stories and novellas, which are often set in exotic locales and draw inspiration from his own extensive travels across Europe.

Find out everything you need to know about Carmen in a fraction of the time!

This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
. A complete plot summary
. Character studies
. Key themes and symbols
. Questions for further reflection

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