In many works of literature, a character is considered evil or immoral based solely on his/her actions. In the book The Count of Monte Cristo, the author Alaxandre Dumas creates sympathy in the reader by portraying Edmond Dantes as a hardworking and loyal sailor who is victimized by his friends. Later, after getting out of jail he seeks revenge on his foes.
Early in the book Dumas portrays Dantes as a good person. He is an ambitious man who has a chance to captain a ship at an early age because he was a loyal and hard worker to M. Morrel, the ship owner. Also he had been loyal to his frail father who relies only on the money that Dantes is able to make as a sailor. He was also portrayed as a love struck young man who was about to marry the woman of his dreams, Mercedes. The reader also feels sorry for Edmond Dantes because of the many unfortunate events that happen to him.
CC No 03 Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo (1934 film)
The Count of Monte Cristo (1975 film)Many of the people who Dantes felt were his friends stab him in his back because they were jealous of the great things that Edmond was about to achieve. Edmond's fellow sailor Danglars was jealous of the fact that Morrel had chosen Dantes as the future captain of his ship so he wrote a fake letter saying that Edmond carried a letter that held important information about Napoleon. Most of the blame can be put on Danglars for the terrible things that happen to Edmond. Fernand was also partially at blame for these events also. He was the character who picked up the accusing letter and turned it into the authorities. Fernand also held a grudge against Dantes because Fernand was in love with the woman Edmond was about to marry, Mercedes. Edmonds...
Count Of Monte Cristo
You provide some good information in explaining how Edmond Dantes might be considered as evil or immoral based solely on his actions. In his famous book, Alexander Dumas does create an intriguing account of how a good man can be changed for the worse through the actions of others and by what he does as a consequence. The desire by Dantes for revenge is understandable but in the end he does not achieve anything of value. His newly found riches which could have done so much good are wasted on a petty desire to get even, when none of us really gets even by allowing ourselves to become consumed with revenge. Revenge takes its toll on our enemies and on us, which is why it's better left alone. I wonder if Dumas wanted his readers to conclude that a character can ever be truly good while seeking revenge. Your report was lucid and thought provoking. Recommended reading!
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