The Count of Monte Cristo

The royalists in "The Count of Monte Cristo" were supporters of King Louis XVIII, who was the legitimate monarch of France during the time period in which the novel is set. They were in opposition to Napoleon Bonaparte and his supporters who were known as Bonapartists.

In "The Count of Monte Cristo," Villefort's son, Edward, manipulates his mother by pretending to be ill and implying that the only way he can recover is by having a certain item. Mrs. Villefort, like many mothers, is deeply concerned for her son's well-being and falls for Edward's ploy, giving him what he wants. This deception reflects the complex dynamics of their relationship and the lengths to which Edward is willing to go to get what he desires.

Villefort destroys the letter and frames Edmond because the contents of the letter implicate his own father in a crime, which would ruin his family's reputation. By framing Edmond, Villefort hopes to cover up the truth and protect his own interests and position in society.

Villefort leaves his engagement party because he receives an urgent message about a political matter that requires his immediate attention, showcasing his dedication to his professional responsibilities over personal affairs.

Valentine dies from poisoning arranged by Villefort. Monte Cristo does not fail in his promise to Maximilian because he avenges the wrongdoings inflicted upon both Valentine and Maximilian by orchestrating revenge against their enemies, ultimately bringing justice and closure to their stories.

The disgrace of the Count of Morcerf was brought about by the Count of Monte Cristo (Edmond Dantès). He orchestrated a series of events that exposed Morcerf's past as a traitor and revealed the true nature of his character, leading to his downfall and public disgrace. Dantès sought revenge against Morcerf for betraying him years earlier.

In his study at the Tuileries in Paris, King Louis XVIII jokes about Bonaparte's partisans causing "trouble" in the south of France - that is, he jokes about it until Villefort's arrival is announced. Villefort brings news of "dire importance" about a traitorous conspiracy: Napoleon has manned three ships, has left Elba, and is undoubtedly sailing for France. Villefort, carefully avoiding all names, says that he learned of this plot from a man (Dantès) whom he immediately ordered to be arrested when he learned that this man planned to carry a message to a dangerous Bonapartist in Paris (actually, Villefort's own father).

At that moment, the Minister of Police arrives and announces that Bonaparte landed near Antibes two days ago and is now marching on Paris. Louis is so angered that he is unable to speak, but in gratitude, he removes the Legion of Honor cross from around his neck and bestows it on Villefort because of Villefort's patriotic zeal. Later, and not without a little envy, the Minister of Police comments that Villefort has made "a magnificent beginning," and that his "fortune is assured." Villefort, we gather, is already impatient for the promising future that seemingly lies ahead for him.

Napoleon returns to France, ousts Louis, and begins what will be his Court of the Hundred Days. Normally, Villefort would probably have suffered the same fate as King Louis, but because of the influence of Villefort's father at Napoleon's court, Villefort retains his post. When Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo and Louis returns to the throne, Villefort is able to use his own influence to reinstate himself politically, and he decides to marry a woman whose family will further his political ambitions.

Meanwhile, Dantès remains a prisoner and knows nothing about Napoleon's return and his crushing defeat, or about Louis' return to Paris. Mercédès lives in absolute despair and is saved from suicide only because of her strong faith. Likewise, Dantès himself so despairs of ever gaining freedom that, finally, he too is on the brink of suicide. All hope seems to be absolutely denied to him. Thus, he decides to starve himself to death.

It is while Dantès is numb with hunger and illness that he hears a curious, animal-like scratching outside his cell, within the earth or within the foundations of the prison. It is not rats, he discovers; it is the famous old "mad Abbé Faria," who, it is believed, knows the location of a fabulous treasure. The Abbé has been imprisoned for twelve years and now believes that he will finally be able to burrow his way to freedom.

The Abbé and Dantès become fast friends, and as the Abbé teaches Dantès languages, history, and science, they begin to make elaborate plans to cooperate in tunneling out of the prison. After some years, they begin their labors, carefully and secretly digging through the earth beneath the foundation of the prison. Finally, they believe that they are almost ready to escape, but the Abbé cannot continue; he collapses in a cataleptic seizure. He simply cannot go on. He urges Dantès to do so, but Dantès cannot; he refuses to desert his friend. Dantès' loyalty so impresses the Abbé that when he recovers, he tells Dantès about the hidden treasure. It actually exists, the Abbé insists, and in the fourteenth century, it belonged to the famous Spada family, for whom the Abbé worked. Since there is no family remaining, the treasure now belongs to whoever finds it. It is buried, the Abbé says, in a cave on the little island of Monte Cristo.

Dantès urges Faria to resume their plans for escape and although he is very weak, the Abbé does, but again he collapses, this time in fearful and harrowing spasms, and then lies unconscious. Dantès tries to revive him, as he did before with the Abbé's potent medicine, but this time, it is to no avail.

Panicking, Dantès scurries along the secret passageway back to his own cell and waits until he thinks that it is safe to return to the Abbé's cell. When he does so, he carefully removes a stone from the cell wall and sees the Abbé's corpse encased in a shroud. His future plans crumble; he cannot think of escape any longer. He and the Abbé have been like brothers, working long and difficult hours in order to reach freedom. Now Dantès is alone. Yet a small flicker of the possibility of escape remains in Dantès, and clutching at freedom like a drowning man, he takes the Abbè's body back along the secret corridor, lays it out on his own bed, toward the wall, replaces the stone leading to their secret passageway, and hurries back to the Abbé's cell, where he stitches himself into the Abbé's shroud. And none too soon, for the prison guards arrive and lift up Dantès' stiffened body. Ominously, one of them comments that the corpse seems unusually heavy, and for an instant, Dantès is filled with fear, but nothing more is said as they carry him out of the prison. Then Dantès hears the sound of waves breaking against the rocks of the Chateau d'If.

"What miserable weather," one of the guards remarks, and they both laugh. Dantès hears a heavy object being dropped on the ground, and then he feels the sudden pain of a heavy rope being knotted around his ankles. There is more laughter, and then Dantès is heaved far out into the depths of the fierce, icy sea - the "cemetery," Dantès realizes, of this abominable prison.

Baron Danglars is the chief financial officer at the Pharaon shipowner company. He is a skilled financier and manipulative character who plays a significant role in the novel's plot.

Between September 29 and October 5, 1944, SS troops surrounded the mountainous area of Monte Sole and searched the villages of Marzabotto, Girzzana, and Monzuno for partisans. SS troops under the command of Walter Reder rounded up and shot 955 civilians, including 216 children and 316 women, ostensibly in an attempt to rout the Italian resistance. The victims are buried in the local cemetery. The massacre was the worst atrocity carried out in Italy during World War II. Reder was sentenced to life imprisonment by a military tribunal in Bologna in 1951, seven years after the slaughter. He was freed in 1985. On 17 April, 2002, German President Johannes Rau expressed his "profound sorrow and shame" to Italy for this event. A good book on this is: “Silence on Monte Sole” by Jack Olsen, published by G. P. Putnam and Sons, New York, 1968

1. In what sense is Abbé Faria Dantès's second father? Do you think that by calling him a "second father" Dumas is referring to the poisonous knowledge that Faria gives Dantès in deducing the events behind his imprisonment?

2. How do Julie Morrel and Emmanuel Herbaut redeem humanity in Monte Cristo's eyes?

3. Compare Valentine de Villefort and Eugénie Danglars. In what ways do these characters act as foils for one another?

4. Edmond Dantès assumes a number of aliases during the course of the novel, and many other characters have a variety of different names as well. What do you consider to be the significance of names in The Count of Monte Cristo? What do you think is the significance of each of Edmond Dantès's assumed names?

5. Compare Madame Danglars and Mercédès. In what ways do these characters act as foils for each other?

6. What is the effect of Haydée's love for Monte Cristo?

That would defiantly be abridged, my copy is 989 pages long and the print is so small you almost need a microscope to see it. Another copy I've heard of is 1200 pages. I think it all has to do with print size.

A reaction paper on "The Count of Monte Cristo" could discuss the themes of revenge, justice, and redemption portrayed in the novel. The paper could explore how the main character, Edmond Dantes, transforms from a man seeking vengeance to one seeking forgiveness and understanding. Additionally, it could analyze the impact of betrayal and deceit on individuals and how it shapes their choices and actions. Finally, the paper could reflect on the lessons learned from the story and how they can be applied to real-life situations.

Long quote about how Dantes took it to far with Edwards death.

The name Fernand appears multiple times in the novel "The Count of Monte Cristo."