1. Consider the four enemies of Edmond Dantes and discuss how the punishment that the Count of Monte Cristo inflicts upon them is related to their deepest ambitions. 2. Using Monte Cristo’s concept that great suffering requires prolonged punishment rather than instantaneous death, discuss the justice of the punishment that […]
Read more Study Help Essay Topics and Review QuestionsAlexandre Dumas Biography
Alexandre Dumas, the author of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, among scores of other novels, was born on July 24, 1802. His father was somewhat of an adventurer-soldier, a mulatto, and was not a favorite of Napoleon because of his staunch republicanism. Therefore, on his father’s […]
Read more Alexandre Dumas BiographySummary and Analysis Chapter 73 – Epilogue
Summary October has finally come. It is evening. A light yacht is sailing toward a small island, and a tall, dark young man asks if the island ahead of them is the Isle of Monte Cristo. It is, and a shot suddenly flashes loudly from the island. The young man […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 73 – EpilogueSummary and Analysis Chapters 68-72 – The Collapse of Danglars
Summary As Monte Cristo and Maximilien leave Paris, the Count asks young Morrel if he regrets coming with him. Maximilien, of course, confesses his terrible and agonizing grief for Valentine, but Monte Cristo urges him to remember that, above all, the friends whom one loses to death are in our […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 68-72 – The Collapse of DanglarsSummary and Analysis Chapters 55-67 – The Madness of Villefort
Summary Leaving Monte Cristo, Maximilien walks to the Villefort residence. He meets Valentine and is immediately concerned about her health. She seems disoriented. Valentine tells him that she is “slightly indisposed,” but that she is gaining strength; she has been taking slow, but increasing doses of her grandfather’s medicine (brucine). […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 55-67 – The Madness of VillefortSummary and Analysis Chapters 47-54 – The Death of Morcerf
Summary One morning, Albert and Beauchamp (the journalist) call on Monte Cristo, and it is soon clear to the Count that Albert is out of sorts, so he invites him to go away with him to his new estate in Normandy, on the coast of France. Albert accepts the invitation, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 47-54 – The Death of MorcerfSummary and Analysis Chapters 45-46 – The Death of Caderousse
Summary Andrea Cavalcanti returns to his hotel and discovers that Caderousse has been there looking for him. Moreover, Caderousse refused to take his “allowance.” Reading the note that Caderousse left, Andrea fears that Caderousse plans to make trouble. He is right. Caderousse wants to see Andrea immediately. Therefore, Andrea dons […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 45-46 – The Death of CaderousseSummary and Analysis Chapters 39-44 – Death by Poisoning
Summary When Danglars saw his wife leaving in her carriage — without Debray — he never suspected that she was leaving to meet her old lover, Villefort. Of course, however, she never suspected the extent of the bad news which Villefort would have for her. Villefort tells her very straightforwardly […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 39-44 – Death by PoisoningSummary and Analysis Chapters 27-38 – The Secret of Benedetto’s Birth
Summary At home, Monte Cristo visits Haydee, his soft and beautiful slave girl; he reminds her that they are in Paris now. Therefore, she is free to dress as a Westerner, meet other people, especially other men, and fall in love if she pleases — but Haydee says that she […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 27-38 – The Secret of Benedetto’s BirthSummary and Analysis Chapters 22-26 – Caderousse’s Villainy
Summary In Paris, three months later, Albert impatiently awaits the arrival of Monte Cristo for a luncheon party. The first guest to arrive is Lucien Debray, the tall, blond Secretary to the Minister of the Interior (we discover later that he is Danglars’ wife’s lover). Among the other guests is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 22-26 – Caderousse’s Villainy