The Count Of Monte Cristo

Written By Alexandre Dumas

Published In 1844-45

The Author

• Alexandre Dumas was born on July 24,1802 and died December 5,1870
• He was known for creating many plays as well as many novels
• Some books that Alexandre wrote include The Three Musketeers Trilogy, The Man In The Iron Mask and Camille.
  
• Towards the end of his life, he fled Marseilles because of bankruptcy and moved to Belgium.

Introduction

• The main character of this book is a Sailor by the name of Edmond Dantes
• Edmond is returning from a voyage with the ship he works on called the Pharaon (which was exporting cargo to Spain).
• He returns to Marseilles, France to greet his Fiancé Mercedes and his Father.
• Although everyone on the Pharaon loves Edmond, one of his fellow workers (the treasurer) by the name of Danglars despises Edmond because how of much the Captain of the ship speaks well of him. He is jealous to no extent and will do anything to have Dantes fired or removed.
• Mercedes has a cousin by the name of Fernand Mondego whom is deeply in love with Mercedes. He as well hates Edmond so much that he would do anything to have him erased from Mercedes life.
• Edmond's neighbor in Marseilles who goes by the name of Caderousse is simply stubborn. He has convinced himself that Edmond is the luckiest man in the world and would do anything to be him.

The Conflict

• Caderousse, Danglars and Fernand devise a plan to have Dantes permanently exiled. They use a method where Dantes would be accused of treason and guilty of being a Bonapartist.
• Edmond is arrested at his Engagement party and although he is calm at the point, everyone manages to convince them self that this is all a big misunderstanding.
• The French court throws Edmond in one of France's most notorious prisons, Chateau D'if.

• While digging a tunnel in jail, he meets an Italian Priest exiled because of his political views.
• Abbé Fari teaches Edmond about Science and History. He also teaches him how to speak fluent Spanish and Italian.
• Abbe also teaches Edmond of a great treasure in which he had kept secret to himself for 4 decades. He promises to split it with Edmond once they escape from prison.

Themes

Revenge: This novel, almost page for page, has something to do with revenge. Edmond vows for Vendetta on all those who wronged him and accused him of the crime he did not commit.

Love: Love plays a both pure and evil role in this novel. It is pure in the fact that the lovers in this tale, remain in love even through death. Love is also, a vengeful thing to have…

Passage

(Page 68, Paragraph 4, Abbe Faria)

“I am Abbe Faria, a prison in the Chateau D'if since eighteen eleven, and previously imprisoned in the fortress of Fenestrella for three years. In the year eighteen eleven I was transferred from Piedmont to France. It was then that I learned the god of destiny, who at that time seemed subservient to Napoleon's every wish, had given him a son, and that while still in its cradle the child had been named King of Rome. Little did I think then that this superman would be overthrown.”