Reading assignment

For my reading assignment for this class I read “The Count of Monte Cristo”. I chose this book mostly because it was the one story I was actually familiar with and I jumped at the excuse to read it again. When I read this book for the first time I started off feeling rather envious of the main character, Edmond Dantès. In the beginning of this story for he has everything, a blossoming family, a bright career, and a broad naïveté when it comes to one’s fellow man. Now I must admit he was not my favorite character when I first read this book, but after the diabolical way he deals with his enemies, yet can show enough compassion to forgive, at least up to a point gives a poignant perspective on what we consider justified and what we consider to be going too far, he finally won me over. So this book to me is a powerful look into the passage from child to adult and how this passage shapes a person into what they need to be. Plus this book also explores the power of love/compassion compared to the power of hate/revenge.

Edmond Dantes rising swiftly through the ranks of his merchant ship and about to become captain at only 19. Engaged to the beautiful Mercedes, and looking to settle down. Unfortunately makes some bad decisions about whom to trust in terms of the majority of his social circle. For his “friend” wants his fiancé, his accountant wants his money, and his neighbor wants his luck for everything. Basically these are a group of jealous miscreants; unfortunately these particular miscreants have an agenda that result in the undoing of Edmond Dantes and everything he had worked for, after a farce of a trial Edmond gets sent to the Château d'If, a prison for the most dangerous of political prisoners indefinitely. Whereupon Edmond’s education in the art of planning and revenge takes place, ironically getting the tools and fortune from a priest.

Throughout the remainder of this book Edmond is concentrating on only two things; rewarding the people who tried to help him, and exacting revenge on those who had wronged him. But there is one aspect of revenge that is necessary which I hope in the theoretical continuance of this book that Edmond realizes, and that is forgiveness. Now Edmond forgives Caderousse, his former neighbor, upon finding Caderousse expressing sincere regret over his part in the plot. But of all of the people to let off the hook Edmond did pick the easiest of the group. For the other main conspirators were way more involved in the plot, took more from Edmond, like his fiancé, and took the life that was rightfully his. Meanwhile totally ignoring the fact that he had a fresh start, a huge fortune bequeathed to him by the aforementioned priest, and the love the girl, Haydee, whose freedom he bought 7 years earlier. Now in this story it shows why revenge is a dish best served cold, for the cold calculating Edmond succeeded in what he set out to do, and he did this extremely efficiently. But his efforts probably cost him more of his humanity than being put in prison. But there is a glimmer of hope for Edmond does finally accept the love of Haydee so this gives me hope that he is not completely lost.

In closing I reiterate Edmond was not my favorite character in the beginning because I envied him as well, but after seeing what he became I not only do not envy him but in several ways relate to him.