Edmond Dantès, the protagonist, is the epiphany of innocence during a time of immense turmoil. His journey from a freeman and soon-to-be husband into a prison of the state then into one of the most powerful men in Paris. This shows the jealousy and cruelty of humans while also establishing the gay youth of Edmond. He is betrayed by those whom he was meant to trust the most and painted into a Bonapartist. Still though, he dreams of the days he wishes to spend with his love. He still has hopes until the solitude breaks his spirits, proving that a man can be broken. He matures in a sense as he no longer lusts for his love but rather for vengeance against those which robbed him of his gay youth. Of course, he eventually matures beyond that
