The Count of The Count of Monte CristoMonte Cristo

By Alexander DumasBy Alexander DumasAbout the Author About the Author

Thinking about ThemesThinking about ThemesDiscussions, Journal Discussions, Journal

Prompts, and Literary Prompts, and Literary AnalysisAnalysis

Alexander DumasAlexander Dumas

1802-18701802-1870

Early LifeEarly Life

AlexandeAlexander Dumas r Dumas was born was born July 1802 July 1802 near the near the city of city of Paris.Paris.

His FamilyHis Family

His grandfather His grandfather was a French was a French Nobleman (a Nobleman (a marquis)marquis)

He settled in Saint-He settled in Saint-Domingue which is Domingue which is now part of Haiti now part of Haiti and later married and later married Marie-Cessette, a Marie-Cessette, a slaveslave

His FamilyHis Family

Marie had a son named Marie had a son named Thomas, but she died when Thomas, but she died when he was just a child.he was just a child.

FatherFather

Alexander’s Alexander’s father joined father joined Napoleon’s army Napoleon’s army and eventually and eventually became a became a general.general.

He died in 1806He died in 1806

Early adulthoodEarly adulthood

He moved backed to Paris and settled He moved backed to Paris and settled there when he was 25.there when he was 25.

He led a life of excess and adventure, He led a life of excess and adventure, which was reflected in his novels.which was reflected in his novels.

ExcessivenessExcessiveness

He had many He had many mistresses which mistresses which led to an led to an illegitimate son who illegitimate son who was named was named Alexander Dumas Alexander Dumas Fils.Fils.

He never accepted He never accepted his father’s lifestyle.his father’s lifestyle.

ProblemsProblems

His excessive and His excessive and expensive lifestyle expensive lifestyle left him in constant left him in constant debt.debt.

At one time he At one time he married one of his married one of his mistresses who was mistresses who was an actress. But he an actress. But he left her after he left her after he spent all her money!spent all her money!

His careerHis career

As a writer, Dumas became more As a writer, Dumas became more famous for his plays than his novelsfamous for his plays than his novels

His WorksHis WorksHe is considered the He is considered the most prolific French most prolific French writer of his time, writer of his time, writing 255 books and writing 255 books and countless plays and countless plays and short stories. He is said short stories. He is said to be one of the biggest to be one of the biggest influences in historical influences in historical fiction, although he fiction, although he manipulated history to manipulated history to fit his plots.fit his plots.

RacismRacismAlthough of mixed race, he supposedly encountered Although of mixed race, he supposedly encountered little racism.little racism.

His books were very popular among 19His books were very popular among 19thth century century African-Americans. In fact, the novel was looked at as African-Americans. In fact, the novel was looked at as a parable of emancipation for the wrongly imprisoned.a parable of emancipation for the wrongly imprisoned.

The end of his lifeThe end of his life

At the age of 68, he died of a stroke.At the age of 68, he died of a stroke.

Some believe that his excess lifestyle Some believe that his excess lifestyle contributed to his death.contributed to his death.

His LegacyHis Legacy

He is not only He is not only the author of the author of The The Count of Monte Count of Monte CristoCristo, but also , but also The Three The Three Musketeers Musketeers andand The Man in the The Man in the Iron Mask.Iron Mask.

The Count of Monte CristoThe Count of Monte Cristo

This is a novel This is a novel and film of and film of adventure, adventure, action and action and romance.romance.

It was originally It was originally published as a published as a serial.serial.

The Count of Monte Cristo The Count of Monte Cristo in filmin film

The point of view of the film is the 3The point of view of the film is the 3rdrd person observer.person observer.

It focuses on the actions and the It focuses on the actions and the behaviors of the characters rather than behaviors of the characters rather than the psychology of their actions.the psychology of their actions.

The Count of Monte CristoThe Count of Monte Cristo

The story takes The story takes place immediately place immediately following the fall of following the fall of Napoleon’s Empire.Napoleon’s Empire.

The majority of the The majority of the story is set in and story is set in and around Paris, but around Paris, but travels to Elba and travels to Elba and Rome.Rome.

ThemesThemes

Some of the themes Some of the themes include betrayal, include betrayal, revenge, identity, revenge, identity, and devotion/loyalty. and devotion/loyalty. We’re going to take a We’re going to take a more concentrated more concentrated look at themes in the look at themes in the 22ndnd half of our half of our PowerPointPowerPoint

Name discoveryName discoveryDO NOW: With several DO NOW: With several classmates, identify the classmates, identify the primary conflict faced by primary conflict faced by the protagonist. Who or the protagonist. Who or what is the enemy of the what is the enemy of the protagonist, and what protagonist, and what makes the struggle makes the struggle between the protagonist between the protagonist and enemy so compelling? and enemy so compelling? Present your ideas to the Present your ideas to the class, and compare your class, and compare your responses with those of responses with those of other classmates. other classmates.

POST IN LITERATURE POST IN LITERATURE SECTION OF NOTEBOOKSECTION OF NOTEBOOK

• JOURNAL PROMPT #1JOURNAL PROMPT #1 - In what ways is the Count of Monte Cristo a - In what ways is the Count of Monte Cristo a precursor of the modern day superhero?precursor of the modern day superhero?

• JOURNAL PROMPT #JOURNAL PROMPT #2 - What's the difference between Edmond's 2 - What's the difference between Edmond's ambition and that of Danglars and Fernand?ambition and that of Danglars and Fernand?

• JOURNAL PROMPT #3JOURNAL PROMPT #3 - Is ambition really the right word to describe - Is ambition really the right word to describe Edmond's ten years of planning? Is there a stronger, more accurate Edmond's ten years of planning? Is there a stronger, more accurate word out there somewhere?word out there somewhere?

THEMESTHEMESRevenge Revenge -Spent 14 yrs in prison plotting revenge on his enemies.-Spent 14 yrs in prison plotting revenge on his enemies.

““I regret now,” said he, “having helped you in your late inquiries, or I regret now,” said he, “having helped you in your late inquiries, or having given you the information I did.”having given you the information I did.”“Why so?” inquired Dantès.“Why so?” inquired Dantès.“Because it has instilled a new passion in your heart―that of “Because it has instilled a new passion in your heart―that of vengeance.” (58)vengeance.” (58)

BetrayalBetrayal

Dantès was betrayed by his “friends” Caderousse, Fernand, and Dantès was betrayed by his “friends” Caderousse, Fernand, and DanglarsDanglars

Villefort promised to let Dantès go free.Villefort promised to let Dantès go free.

IdentityIdentity Dantès creates various identities to fulfill his missions.Dantès creates various identities to fulfill his missions.

Devotion/LoyaltyDevotion/Loyalty Jacopo → helps Dantès after escaping prisonJacopo → helps Dantès after escaping prison Morrel → tried to get Dantès out of prisonMorrel → tried to get Dantès out of prison Mercédès → devoted and still loves DantèsMercédès → devoted and still loves Dantès

Think/pair/shareThink/pair/share1.1.   Using Albert, Valentine, and Edouard, Using Albert, Valentine, and Edouard,

how does Monte Cristo's theory of how does Monte Cristo's theory of "the sins of the fathers must be "the sins of the fathers must be visited upon subsequent generations" visited upon subsequent generations" undergo a dramatic reversal? undergo a dramatic reversal?

2.2. In what ways does Dantes develop a In what ways does Dantes develop a God complex? How does he supplant God complex? How does he supplant himself as the giver of punishment himself as the giver of punishment and reward? Where and how does he and reward? Where and how does he begin to question his ambition?begin to question his ambition?

Think/pair/shareThink/pair/share1.1. Write a character analysis of Edmond Write a character analysis of Edmond

Dantes. What makes him “tick” as a Dantes. What makes him “tick” as a person? Is he worthy of the relatively person? Is he worthy of the relatively happy ending? How does he change happy ending? How does he change and grow during the novel and what is and grow during the novel and what is the impetus of these changes?the impetus of these changes?

2.2.   Using Monte Cristo's concept that Using Monte Cristo's concept that great suffering requires prolonged great suffering requires prolonged punishment rather than instantaneous punishment rather than instantaneous death, discuss the justice of the death, discuss the justice of the punishment that he inflicts on each of punishment that he inflicts on each of his enemies. How is the punishment of his enemies. How is the punishment of his enemies related to their deepest his enemies related to their deepest ambitions?ambitions?

Conflicts and Challenges.Conflicts and Challenges.

Man vs. Society – Dantès against his enemies Man vs. Society – Dantès against his enemies (Caderousse, Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort)(Caderousse, Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort)

Man vs. Himself – Dantès mentality and Man vs. Himself – Dantès mentality and emotions → urge to get revengeemotions → urge to get revenge

Person vs. Person- Wrongfully imprisoned in Person vs. Person- Wrongfully imprisoned in the Chateau d'Ifthe Chateau d'If

Villefort and Madame Danglars → BenedettoVillefort and Madame Danglars → Benedetto Maximilien and Valentine's “death”Maximilien and Valentine's “death”

No one can have it all; No one can have it all; eventually something will eventually something will

happen to spoil such happen to spoil such happiness.happiness.

You and a partner will work together to find evidence in the text that supports this theme. Be sure to cite the passage(s), and provide strong commentary that supports your thoughts.

Out of every bad situation, a bit Out of every bad situation, a bit of good emerges.of good emerges.

• When When all is said and done, Alexandre Dumas’s all is said and done, Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of The Count of Monte CristoMonte Cristo, is a story of transformation—the transformation of , is a story of transformation—the transformation of young, naïve, exuberant Edmond Dantes into the cold, vengeful, young, naïve, exuberant Edmond Dantes into the cold, vengeful, and maybe even mad, Count of Monte Cristo. The first half of the and maybe even mad, Count of Monte Cristo. The first half of the novel shows us the beginnings of this transformation, as Edmond novel shows us the beginnings of this transformation, as Edmond is whisked away from a life of success and happiness to be is whisked away from a life of success and happiness to be thrown, seemingly for eternity, into the bowels of the dreaded thrown, seemingly for eternity, into the bowels of the dreaded Chateau D’If. When circumstances allow for Edmond to take the Chateau D’If. When circumstances allow for Edmond to take the place of his dead friend, the Abbe Faria, and be hurled into the place of his dead friend, the Abbe Faria, and be hurled into the ocean from the roof of the prison, though, Edmond is granted a ocean from the roof of the prison, though, Edmond is granted a new lease on life, and with the Monte Cristo treasure at his new lease on life, and with the Monte Cristo treasure at his disposal, an opportunity to destroy those who would have disposal, an opportunity to destroy those who would have destroyed him. Dantes’s plunge into the ocean then, may be the destroyed him. Dantes’s plunge into the ocean then, may be the key turning point in the novel and can be read symbolically as a key turning point in the novel and can be read symbolically as a re-baptism or re-birth, in which our main character is able to tear re-baptism or re-birth, in which our main character is able to tear away the shroud of death, wash away his old self, and become a away the shroud of death, wash away his old self, and become a new man with a new purpose. It is certainly a moment worthy of new man with a new purpose. It is certainly a moment worthy of any careful reader’s exacting attention. any careful reader’s exacting attention. With that in mind, your task is as follows…With that in mind, your task is as follows…

Retell -Edmond Dantes’s fall from the roof of the Retell -Edmond Dantes’s fall from the roof of the Chateau D’If, from the moment in which he is flung Chateau D’If, from the moment in which he is flung from the roof to the moment he rises out of the from the roof to the moment he rises out of the ocean, free of the shroud and the cannon ball, from ocean, free of the shroud and the cannon ball, from Dantes’s first-person perspectiveDantes’s first-person perspective. . In doing so, your In doing so, your goal is:goal is:• To describe as vividly as possible, what this experience must have been To describe as vividly as possible, what this experience must have been

like for Dantes—what must it feel like to fall, blind, into the ocean from like for Dantes—what must it feel like to fall, blind, into the ocean from high above; to struggle to free oneself from inside a sack while being high above; to struggle to free oneself from inside a sack while being pulled to one’s death at the bottom of the ocean; to have to hack away pulled to one’s death at the bottom of the ocean; to have to hack away at a sack and a rope while also holding one’s breath? This will give you at a sack and a rope while also holding one’s breath? This will give you an opportunity to continue to practice your skills in vivid, concrete an opportunity to continue to practice your skills in vivid, concrete writing. While this moment, in actuality, probably took all of forty-five writing. While this moment, in actuality, probably took all of forty-five seconds, from beginning to end, I would like you to take your reader seconds, from beginning to end, I would like you to take your reader through it moment by moment, heartbeat by heartbeat. through it moment by moment, heartbeat by heartbeat.

• To take your reader into the mind of Edmond Dantes, to show the reader To take your reader into the mind of Edmond Dantes, to show the reader that you are beginning to understand this character and how important that you are beginning to understand this character and how important this moment is as part of his journey from being Edmond Dantes to this moment is as part of his journey from being Edmond Dantes to being the Count of Monte Cristo. What goes through Edmond’s mind as being the Count of Monte Cristo. What goes through Edmond’s mind as he struggles to stay alive? Does he have any visions? Does he see or he struggles to stay alive? Does he have any visions? Does he see or even speak to people from his past? Does he pray or converse with Godeven speak to people from his past? Does he pray or converse with God—or the Devil? They say that when a person is experiencing a traumatic —or the Devil? They say that when a person is experiencing a traumatic moment, time slows down, and your entire life flashes before your eyes. moment, time slows down, and your entire life flashes before your eyes. How might this hold true in Edmond’s case?How might this hold true in Edmond’s case?

Ideally, what you should be striving for here is a balanced representation of Ideally, what you should be striving for here is a balanced representation of what this moment must have been like for Edmond both what this moment must have been like for Edmond both physically physically and and mentally.mentally.

Revenge gives the avenger a sense Revenge gives the avenger a sense of peace…or does it?.of peace…or does it?.

Listed below are a number of events from Listed below are a number of events from The Count of Monte Cristo The Count of Monte Cristo that are a part of the that are a part of the second half of Edmond Dantes’s second half of Edmond Dantes’s character arccharacter arc. For each one you are to (a) . For each one you are to (a) rereadreread the the portions of the novel that deal with that event and (b) in the white space provided, portions of the novel that deal with that event and (b) in the white space provided, explain why this particular event is important in terms of Edmond’s transformation over explain why this particular event is important in terms of Edmond’s transformation over the course of the novelthe course of the novel—what does he learn from this particular moment? How is he —what does he learn from this particular moment? How is he changed for having experienced it; how does this moment prepare him for the next changed for having experienced it; how does this moment prepare him for the next moment on his character arc? You should be particularly concerned with the way, over moment on his character arc? You should be particularly concerned with the way, over the second half of the novel, that Edmond is caught between pursuing his long-planned-the second half of the novel, that Edmond is caught between pursuing his long-planned-for vengeance against his enemies and his realization that his quest for vengeance may for vengeance against his enemies and his realization that his quest for vengeance may be destroying himself in the process. be destroying himself in the process. Each of your explanations should be a minimum Each of your explanations should be a minimum of eight (8) sentences in length.of eight (8) sentences in length. Moment #1: Moment #1: The Count confronts Caderousse (pgs. 339-344) The Count confronts Caderousse (pgs. 339-344) Moment #2: Moment #2: Mercedes begs for Albert’s life (pgs. 375-379)Mercedes begs for Albert’s life (pgs. 375-379)Moment #3Moment #3: The Count confronts Fernand (pgs. 393-395): The Count confronts Fernand (pgs. 393-395)Moment #4Moment #4Maximilien Morrel reveals to the Count that he loves Valentine (pgs. 400-Maximilien Morrel reveals to the Count that he loves Valentine (pgs. 400-402) 402)

Explanation: Explanation:

One must experience the One must experience the feeling of loss and feeling of loss and

devastation in order to devastation in order to appreciate fully the feeling of appreciate fully the feeling of

ultimate bliss.ultimate bliss.You and a partner will work together to find evidence in the text that supports this theme. Be sure to cite the passage(s), and provide strong commentary that supports your thoughts.

Money is the key to Money is the key to happiness.happiness.

You and a partner will work together to find evidence in the text that supports this theme. Be sure to cite the passage(s), and provide strong commentary that supports your thoughts.

It is possible to fall in love It is possible to fall in love more than once.more than once.

The Count of Monte Cristo is a The Count of Monte Cristo is a Romantic Hero Romantic Hero because:because:- - Wanderlust (desire to travel)Wanderlust (desire to travel)- Introspection (looking within self)- Introspection (looking within self)- Misanthropy (distrust/ hatred for humankind)- Misanthropy (distrust/ hatred for humankind)- Regret of actions which leads to philanthropy - Regret of actions which leads to philanthropy (love of mankind in general) , which stops the (love of mankind in general) , which stops the character from ending tragically. character from ending tragically.

One can be several persons in One can be several persons in one; in other words, a person can one; in other words, a person can have very different personalities have very different personalities

depending on the situation in depending on the situation in which a person finds himself or which a person finds himself or

herself.herself. Dantès → young naïve boy to a sophisticated

gentleman (bildungsroman) Different identities (Count of Monte

Cristo, Sinbad the Sailor, Chief clerk of Thomson and French, and Abbé Busoni)

Mercédès and Fernand → poor to wealthy & back to poor

Baron Danglars → wealthy to poor

Literary Analysis—Drawing upon your knowledge of Literary Analysis—Drawing upon your knowledge of the novel, your essay will take a position on ONE of the novel, your essay will take a position on ONE of

the following prompts:the following prompts:

Revenge: Was the Count of Monte Cristo justified in seeking revenge on his enemies? Give specific examples of the Count’s revenge, then, explain why the Count’s actions are (or are not) acceptable.

 Suffering: How does suffering impact who a person becomes? Choose 3 characters and analyze how their own suffering (physical, emotional, or mental) impacts their personality throughout the novel.

 Fate: How do certain characters follow their fate? How do other characters defy their fate? Analyze how Dantes AND 1 other characters handle their fate throughout the novel and what effect it ultimately has on them.

 Duality: Is anything absolute or are there always at least two sides? Choose one character, event, or idea in the novel that can be looked at in more than one way. Give details from the novel that show the two sides of your character/event/idea; then explain which side seems more likely and why.

Literary Analysis—Drawing upon your knowledge of Literary Analysis—Drawing upon your knowledge of the novel, your essay will take a position on ONE of the novel, your essay will take a position on ONE of

the following prompts:the following prompts:

Your essay must be 2 pages in length and contain at least 6 pieces of textual evidence (quotations or examples) to support your analysis.

Your ideas must be fully-developed and explained in precise and concise language.

It will be typed MLA format and submitted to Turnitin.com.

It will be graded according to the Cherry Hill Writing Rubric, which will be stapled on the bottom of your essay. Sandwiched in-between will be all your work leading up to your polished copy. I want to see pre-writing, drafting, editing, and revisions. Due date is…