"The Count of Monte Cristo"- My Reading Journey- Part 2

 

The Political Background at the beginning

The incidents of the novel happens in France, during a time of political turmoil. When I read this as a school kid, I haven't understood the political undercurrent. But now as I am reading it, I am researching and understanding the time period in which the events are unfolding. 

 After The French revolution in 1789, monarchy is overthrown and a republic system came into being in France. But later, Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power and became Emperor in 1804. He was supported by some but opposed by others who wanted the previous Royal family to come back ( the Bourbon family). 

In 1814, Napoleon was forced to abdicate and exiled to the Island of Elba, while Louis XVIII became King of France (member of Bourbon family). 

There were still some Bonaparte supporters left in France waiting for the return of Napoleon. But any act of support to Bonepartists was dealt severely. 

This is the political background at the beginning. The story of Edmond Dantes unfolds against this politics, which overturns his peaceful life. The beginning date mentioned is 24/02/1815.

The Jealous Coworker

Edmond Dantes was a young man of 18 or 20, who was a dutiful son, faithful sailer and a virtuous lover. He is a cheerful and optimistic person who tries to see the good in everyone and everything. He trusts others too easily and speaks honestly without any reservations. His trusting nature, prevents him from discovering the treacherous schemes around him. 

Edmond's good nature makes him acceptable to everyone in the ship (Pharaon), except for one person- Danglars (25-26 yrs in age). He was insolent to his subordinates and was not a very agreeable person. The Captain of the ship had passed away on the way to the port and the Dantes was made man-in-charge, which never felt fine to Danglars. If Dantes was not there, it would have been his turn to become the Captain. 

Edmond being an honorable sailor, accepts the dying request of his Captain, and docks the ship on the Island of Elba, and delivers a packet to Marshal Bertrand and even meets the exiled emperor himself and had exchanged some casual words regarding the ship and shipments. He was asked by his Captain to send a letter to someone in France. I think Dantes, did not realize the seriousness of what exactly he was doing. His wrong judgment of people cost him precious years of life. 

The fact that Edmond got some letter for someone in France as well as the suspicions around the Island of Elba never escapes the shrewd eyes of Danglars, who spins a elaborate trap for Dantes. 

The Jealous Neighbour

Caderousse a man of 25 or 26, was a tailor as well as a money lender, and was also Edmond's neighbour. He robbed the money provided for the old father of Dantes, in the guise of collecting interest and debt, leaving the man to live in poverty. Even though Dantes finds out this on his return, he does not call him out for his greedy deeds, instead talks amiably with him. 

Caderousse is jealous at the rise of Edmond and at his imminent future of becoming the Captain of Pharaon at a young age. 

The Jealous Lover

Edmond has a sweet heart, a Catalan girl, Mercedes. Catalans were a close knit community of Spanish descent fishermen living in a distinct village near Marseilles. She waits for Dantes faithfully and hopefully. But there is a love triangle here. A young man of 20-22 yrs, Fernand, her cousin, who was deeply in love with her and follows her everywhere he can. 

Mercedes knew that he is in love with her, but constantly rejects his love but not his company. After Dantes comes for her, she wants both of them to get along, which is not acceptable to the obsessive Fernand. Here, to be honest, I got a vibe of Katherine from 'Wuthering Heights', felt like she was stringing him along, somewhat indirectly. To be honest, I feel, if you reject someone, its best to distance yourself from them somewhat completely to avoid future consequences. Because not all people are mature in heart accept rejections respectfully. If it was like that there would be no incidents of acid spillage on face and killing over jealous love in this world. 

The Conspiracy

The jealous lover, neighbour and co-worker drinks together and speaks about Dantes and his fortune. This is the situation when the serpent from Danglars comes out and devises an evil plan as a silly joke. He writes a letter with his left hand, commenting on  Edmond's possible involvement with Boneparts. He threw the paper away, making it seem like a prank, but his moves were calculated. When they leave the place, he makes sure that Fernand has taken up that scrunched up paper. 

These initial chapters even though extensive, are full of drama. Edmond's good nature is used against him. Sometimes I think, if Edmond was more guarded with people around him, he would not have been betrayed. 

Not everyone around you rejoices in your success. Some will be jealous and some will even devise plans to make you fail. It is essential to not trust everyone easily and not to see everyone with the same filter. We are not mind readers and cannot read the minds of other humans. 

We should learn to understand the meaning behind a smile, a word or even an action. 

Choose your friends wisely.

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