"The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexander Dumas.

Essay by silverfirexzJunior High, 8th grade April 2003

download word file, 1 pages 3.8

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas is one of the most exciting books ever written. The characters are very real and believable, particularly Edmond Dantes, the protagonist.

The way he lusts for vengeance and yet waits patiently for the right time is admirable, to say the least. His mind, sharpened and educated by Abbé Faria during years in prison, helps him transform into many different personages, including the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo. Dantes uses his many aliases to befriend important people and form alliances.

Aside from the protagonist's personality and believability, the novel also includes much suspense, leaving you holding your breath and hoping. Examples of this include Chapter Twenty, when Dantes' plan for escape is shattered when he is thrown into the ocean with a cannon ball tied to his feet. Chapter Twenty-one tells of his escape from drowning by cutting the cannon ball from his ankles.

Another thrill of suspense comes later in the book as Dantes searches for treasure on the isle of Monte Cristo.

The book is not all suspense, however. Many chapters seem to tell about trivial things, although they set the stage for later action, such as Chapter Thirty-one, where Baron Franz d'Epinay meets Dantes, in the form of Sinbad the Sailor. This chapter is wonderful, as it describes Sinbad's hidden palace and his way extraordinary way of life. Chapters Thirty-three and Thirty-four are also seemingly trivial; they recount the history of a well-known Roman bandit. However, this history becomes somewhat relevant later on in the book.

The antagonists are a great part of the book, as well. The conspirators that put Dantes in prison are by far the worst; but the deputy procurer, Villefort, is just as evil. He found Dantes innocent of any charges, but still had him...