Steinmayr, Markus
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Publication Access status: Open Access , Komplotte und Konspirationen(2025)The essay argues that Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code represents a unique blend of medievalism and the popularization of science, framed within the context of a modern thriller. The so-called “secret” of the Grail, which was once shrouded in mystery and reserved for a select few, is effectively depopularized and decanonized by the Catholic Church. In doing so, the novel presents science not as a force of disenchantment, but as a means of re-enchanting the world. This popularization of knowledge aligns with the figure of the autodidact, who finds in The Da Vinci Code an awakening experience, further contributing to the novel’s widespread appeal. The theme of conspiracy in The Da Vinci Code is integral to its narrative, with the conflict between the Opus Dei faction (from an Enlightenment perspective) and the Priory of Sion (from a Catholic standpoint) serving as the backdrop. Both conspiracies rely on the manipulation of “half-truths,” which help maintain the story’s internal coherence. Ultimately, the essay also explores the significance of medieval knowledge in contemporary literature, reflecting on how such themes are woven into the fabric of modern narrative and literary history.Source Type:BookSeries:Transformationen des Populären. Working Paper Series des SFB 1472Volume number:18222 531
