Set within the nineteenth century of France during the turmoil of the Napoleonic Era, The Count of Monte Cristo is an intricate tale of obsession and revenge. Alexander Dumas uses brilliant language and spell binding characters in order to weave the plot together to form a masterpiece. There is confusion throughout the land in regards to who led France, King Louis or Napoleon. The two ruling parties divided the citizens of France. This division has a profound effect on the events of the story.

Edmond Dantes young guileless sailor and honest young man whose peaceful life and plans to marry the beautiful Mercedes are abruptly shattered when he is betrayed during the prime of his life and career by the jealousy of his friends. His shipmate, Danglars is coveted by his designation as the captain of the mighty Pharaon. Fernand Mondego is a simple fisherman and sometime smuggler who is in love, Mercedes, whom Dantes is engaged to. Because of his jealousy, Fernand mails an anonymous letter condemning Dantes, hoping that if Dantes is arrested and left forgotten in prison, he would then be able to marry Mercedes. The letter that Fernand and Danglars wrote accuses Edmond of carrying a letter f

the defeat of his enemies but the spiritual reassessment, which enable him to rejoin the human race and sail away in hope. The best part of the book is realizing that it is not about revenge at all but about redemption and remarkable change in the heart of a man that did not let hatred and lust for revenge consume him. Every character remains distinct in my mind with prompting. I loved the intricate style of the interwoven plot.

While Dantes was in prison, Count de Morcef gained much wealth by smuggling and by betraying the great Ali Pasha. For vengeance on Morcef, Monte Cristo releases information to the press that proves Morcef is a traitor, and he is ruined socially. Then Monte Cristo destroys Morcef's relationship with his family, whom he adores. When all of his treachery is exposed, he discovers that he has finally lost everything that he had lived for since Dantes’ imprisonment. Morcef discovers Monte Cristo’s true identity and sees that his wife and son have deserted him. He is so distraught by the loss of his wife, son and honor that he commits suicide.

impossible for me to go on being ignorant of the capital of the intelligent world. Furthermore, I might have made this indispensable journey if I’d known someone who could introduce me into Paris society. Now your offer has decided me.” (p. 133) This quote shows how the Count does favors for people so that that person would owe the Count a favor in return. In another conversation with Albert, Monte Cristo discusses his feelings of punishment, “-- a being who, when torn from you, left a desolation, a wound that never closes, in your breast, -- do you think the reparation that society gives you is sufficient. . . and allows him who has caused us years of moral sufferings to escape with a few moments of physical pain?" . . "understand me, I would fight a duel for a trifle, for an insult, for a blow; . . Oh, I would fight for such a cause; but in return for a slow, profound, eternal torture, I would give back the same, were it possible; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as the Orientalists say, -- our masters in everything, -- those favored creatures who have formed for themselves a life of dreams and a paradise of realities." This quote shows the belief behind Monte Cristo’s vengeance for those who have wronged him. He wants them to suffer as he has and he has come to believe that man must suffer before he deserves to enjoy wealth and prosperity.

Faria is the first person that opens up Dantes’ eyes to see who his enemies really are. Faria’s intelligence is what helps Dantes make his transformation into a new man. He teaches Dantes the ability to overcome impossible obstacles. “There is a maxim of jurisprudence which says, ‘If you wish to discover the guilty person, first find out to whom the crime might be useful.’ To whom might your disappearance be useful?” This quote makes it apparent to Dantes that it wasn’t a mistake that he was sent to jail. This helps Dantes realize who was responsible for the conspiracy to ruin his life. Dantes became obsessed with getting vengeance.

rom Elba to the Bonapartist committee in Paris. Caderousse, who is a neighbor of Dantes and his father, is a hypocrite and also jealous of Dantes, but when he learns of this letter he believes it is a jest so he remains silent. Dantes' enemies used the rivalry between the two parties in order to convince the Royalists that Dantes is a Bonapartist.

After several trips passed the Island of Monte Cristo a smuggling expedition

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