The Count Of Monte Cristo Literary Analysis

In The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, revenge is a very prevalent theme. It’s arguably the biggest theme in the book, and Alexandre has a lot to say on it. I think the main message he’s trying to get across is that revenge can take over your life. Literally. The main character, Dantés experiences revenge taking over his life. When he’s sent to prison, he is miserable until he meets Abbé. Abbé essentially plants the seed of revenge in Dantés life, “‘I regret having helped you in your investigation and said what I did to you,’ he remarked. ‘Why is that?’ Dantés asked. ‘Because I have insinuated a feeling into your heart that was not previously there: the desire for revenge.’” (Dumas). The seed that Abbé planted grew, and grew, and grew until Dantés became Monte Cristo. Dantés was an intelligent nineteen year old who had a bright life ahead of him, Monte Cristo was a human full of hatred and thirst for revenge. Monte Cristo’s revenge went so far that if the person he sought to cast his revenge on was not available, he would pin it onto the children of who he originally wanted. Revenge changes you, is what Dumas is trying to get across. …show more content…
Hatred, in my opinion, is one of the two strongest emotions - the other is love. Monte Cristo had a lot of hate in him. He even says it himself, “He decided it was human hatred and not divine vengeance that had plunged him into this abyss” (Dumas). He says that his hatred made him the man he became. Also, in the quote he uses the term ‘divine vengeance’. It could be argued that Monte Cristo has become so dragged into revenge that it’s become part of his belief system. Not a Godly source, a thing that he believes everybody needs to experience, or something that he needs to practice regularly. It’s highly possible that revenge and hatred has not only taken over his social life, it’s taken over other aspects of his