The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte The Count of Monte CristoCristo

Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas

Meet the AuthorMeet the Author

Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas One of the most famous French One of the most famous French

writers of the 19writers of the 19thth century, Dumas is century, Dumas is best known for historical adventure best known for historical adventure novels. A “historical novel” is a novel novels. A “historical novel” is a novel set fifty or more years in the past, set fifty or more years in the past, and one in which the author is and one in which the author is writing more from research rather writing more from research rather than personal experience. than personal experience.

Dumas’ works are fast-paced Dumas’ works are fast-paced adventure tales that blend history adventure tales that blend history and fiction, as well as entangled and fiction, as well as entangled melodrama that is not entirely melodrama that is not entirely faithful to the historical facts.faithful to the historical facts.

Interesting Fact: Dumas also wrote Interesting Fact: Dumas also wrote the famous adventure novels the famous adventure novels The The Three MusketeersThree Musketeers and and The Man in The Man in the Iron Mask!the Iron Mask!

Alexandre was the son of Napoleon’s Alexandre was the son of Napoleon’s famous mulatto general Dumas.famous mulatto general Dumas.

Dumas was the son of a French Dumas was the son of a French aristocrat and a Haitian black slave.aristocrat and a Haitian black slave. 1802-1870

Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas When Dumas was 4, his father died. When Dumas was 4, his father died.

His family was very poor, and Dumas’ His family was very poor, and Dumas’ education was very minimal. Dumas, education was very minimal. Dumas, however, loved to read extensively.however, loved to read extensively.

Growing up, his mother's stories of his Growing up, his mother's stories of his father's brave military acts during the father's brave military acts during the glory years of Napoleon I of France glory years of Napoleon I of France spawned Alexandre's vivid spawned Alexandre's vivid imagination for adventure and heroes. imagination for adventure and heroes.

Dumas’ literary career began in Paris Dumas’ literary career began in Paris where he began writing articles for where he began writing articles for magazines and plays for the theatre. magazines and plays for the theatre.

In 1829 his first solo play, In 1829 his first solo play, Henry III Henry III and his Courtand his Court, was produced, meeting , was produced, meeting with great public acclaim. The with great public acclaim. The following year his second play, following year his second play, ChristineChristine, proved equally popular, and , proved equally popular, and as a result, he was financially able to as a result, he was financially able to work full time at writing. work full time at writing.

A common practice of the day, Dumas A common practice of the day, Dumas had several collaborators on the had several collaborators on the majority of his works, none of whom majority of his works, none of whom ever received credit. ever received credit.

Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas Interesting Fact: In 1830, Dumas Interesting Fact: In 1830, Dumas

participated in the revolution that participated in the revolution that ousted King Charles X and replaced ousted King Charles X and replaced him on the throne with Dumas's him on the throne with Dumas's former employer, the duc d'Orléans, former employer, the duc d'Orléans, who would rule as Louis-Philippe, the who would rule as Louis-Philippe, the last king of France.last king of France.

After writing more successful plays, After writing more successful plays, he turned his efforts to novels. he turned his efforts to novels.

Dumas is credited with Dumas is credited with revolutionizing the historical novel in revolutionizing the historical novel in France. He was also among the first France. He was also among the first to fully use the possibilities of roman to fully use the possibilities of roman feuilleton, the serial novel.feuilleton, the serial novel.

A serial novel is a single story told in A serial novel is a single story told in continuous installments that are continuous installments that are printed in a newspaper or magazine. printed in a newspaper or magazine.

The The COMCCOMC was originally published was originally published in 18 installments! in 18 installments!

Alexandre Dumas, pereAlexandre Dumas, pereThe “Playa”The “Playa”

Known as the “King of Paris,” Known as the “King of Paris,” Dumas earned fortunes and Dumas earned fortunes and spent them right away on spent them right away on friends, art, and mistresses. In friends, art, and mistresses. In fact, Dumas’ illegitimate son fact, Dumas’ illegitimate son Alexandre Dumas fils was also a Alexandre Dumas fils was also a famous writer!famous writer!

Dumas lived as adventurously Dumas lived as adventurously as the heroes of his books. He as the heroes of his books. He took part in the Revolution of took part in the Revolution of July 1830, caught cholera during July 1830, caught cholera during the epidemic of 1832, and the epidemic of 1832, and traveled to Italy to recuperate.traveled to Italy to recuperate.

Dumas died a pauper, but Dumas died a pauper, but happy. Dumas suffered a stroke happy. Dumas suffered a stroke and died on December 5, 1870.and died on December 5, 1870.

Dumas’s house called The Chateau de Monte Cristo. There is a separate building where Dumas could work privately called the Chateau d’If. Short of money, Dumas had to sell the house after living in it only 2 years. Today it is a museum.

The Count of Monte The Count of Monte CristoCristo

A Tale of Justice, Revenge, Mercy, and A Tale of Justice, Revenge, Mercy, and Forgiveness Forgiveness

The Count of Monte CristoThe Count of Monte Cristo The story takes place in France, The story takes place in France,

Italy, islands in the Mediterranean Italy, islands in the Mediterranean and the Levant during the historical and the Levant during the historical events of 1815–1838. (This is just events of 1815–1838. (This is just after the French Revolution has after the French Revolution has ended).ended).

Interesting Fact: Dumas got the Interesting Fact: Dumas got the idea for idea for The Count of Monte CristoThe Count of Monte Cristo from a true story, which he found in from a true story, which he found in a memoir written by a man named a memoir written by a man named Jacques Peuchet. Peuchet related Jacques Peuchet. Peuchet related the story of a shoemaker named the story of a shoemaker named Pierre Picaud, who was living in Pierre Picaud, who was living in Paris in 1807. Picaud was engaged Paris in 1807. Picaud was engaged to marry a rich woman, but four to marry a rich woman, but four jealous friends falsely accused him jealous friends falsely accused him of being a spy for England. He was of being a spy for England. He was imprisoned for seven years. During imprisoned for seven years. During his imprisonment, a dying fellow his imprisonment, a dying fellow prisoner bequeathed him a treasure prisoner bequeathed him a treasure hidden in Milan. When Picaud was hidden in Milan. When Picaud was released in 1814, he took released in 1814, he took possession of the treasure, possession of the treasure, returned under another name to returned under another name to Paris and spent ten years plotting Paris and spent ten years plotting his successful revenge against his his successful revenge against his former “friends.”former “friends.”

Marseilles. The first island in the center is the Chateau d’If

The Chateau d’IfThe Chateau d’If TODAYTODAY

http://france-for-visitors.com/photo-http://france-for-visitors.com/photo-gallery/marseille/chateau-if.htmlgallery/marseille/chateau-if.html

The Count of Monte CristoThe Count of Monte CristoExploring the PlotExploring the Plot

Edmond DantesEdmond Dantes, a dashing 19 year old , a dashing 19 year old sailor, has everything going for him. He sailor, has everything going for him. He returns home to Marseilles with the returns home to Marseilles with the promise of being made captain. He is also promise of being made captain. He is also looking forward to marrying his beautiful, looking forward to marrying his beautiful, Catalan fiancé Catalan fiancé Mercedes. Mercedes. Everything is Everything is about to change as Edmond’s good about to change as Edmond’s good fortune inspires jealousy in those close to fortune inspires jealousy in those close to him. him.

Dantes’ promotion to captain has made Dantes’ promotion to captain has made the ship’s purser, the ship’s purser, Danglars,Danglars, jealous. jealous. Dantes’ financial situation stuns his Dantes’ financial situation stuns his neighbor, neighbor, CaderousseCaderousse, and Dantes’ , and Dantes’ relationship with Mercedes inspires the relationship with Mercedes inspires the jealousy of her cousin, jealousy of her cousin, Fernand Fernand Mondego. Mondego. An “anonymous” letter is An “anonymous” letter is written to the deputy prosecutor, written to the deputy prosecutor, Villefort,Villefort, accusing Dantes’ of being a accusing Dantes’ of being a Bonapartist - a traitor to the Royalists Bonapartist - a traitor to the Royalists who are in power. who are in power.

This adventure novel takes place between the years of This adventure novel takes place between the years of 1815-1838. Because the historical setting is a 1815-1838. Because the historical setting is a fundamental element of the story, it is vital to fundamental element of the story, it is vital to understand the political situation in France at the time understand the political situation in France at the time of the story.of the story.

The French Revolution has ended, but the lasting The French Revolution has ended, but the lasting effects have not. So, to understand the current political effects have not. So, to understand the current political situation in our story, we must travel back to the French situation in our story, we must travel back to the French Revolution.Revolution.

The French Revolution The French Revolution 1789-17991789-1799

Noting a downward Noting a downward economic spiral, King economic spiral, King Louis XVI brought in Louis XVI brought in financial advisers to financial advisers to review the weakened review the weakened French treasury. French treasury.

The advisers noted that a The advisers noted that a radical change was radical change was needed in the way the needed in the way the public was taxed. public was taxed.

King Louis XVI had them King Louis XVI had them kicked out.kicked out.

The French RevolutionThe French Revolution

Realizing that the taxation problem really did need to be Realizing that the taxation problem really did need to be addressed, King Louis XVI brought in Charles de Calonne, addressed, King Louis XVI brought in Charles de Calonne, the new controller general of finance, in 1783. the new controller general of finance, in 1783.

Calonne suggested taxing the nobility, who had been Calonne suggested taxing the nobility, who had been previously exempt from taxation. The nobility refused.previously exempt from taxation. The nobility refused.

I am a lord. I have lots of money and do not want to pay any extra taxes to the king!

I am a lord. I have lots of money and do not want to pay any extra taxes to the king!

I am a peasant. I have nothing. When the crops fail to grow the prices rise and I starve.

I am a bishop of the church. I have lots of money but I do not want to give the king any extra taxes either!

I am King Louis XVI. I have run out of money fighting the British. Perhaps the lords and the church could give me some more taxes?

The French Revolution The French Revolution 1789-17991789-1799

As a last attempt to amend the taxation As a last attempt to amend the taxation problem, Louis XVI convened the Estates-problem, Louis XVI convened the Estates-General in May 1789. General in May 1789.

They met to discuss the deep financial crisis the They met to discuss the deep financial crisis the French government was experiencing; however, French government was experiencing; however, they could not even agree on how voting would they could not even agree on how voting would proceed once deliberations began. proceed once deliberations began.

The bourgeoisie realized they would always be The bourgeoisie realized they would always be outvoted by the nobility, thus, they walked out outvoted by the nobility, thus, they walked out of the assembly and established the National of the assembly and established the National Assembly. Assembly.

They claimed to legitimately represent the They claimed to legitimately represent the people of France. The French Revolution had people of France. The French Revolution had begun! begun!

The French RevolutionThe French Revolution Louis XVI eventually lost his Louis XVI eventually lost his

power, and in August of 1792, power, and in August of 1792, he became a prisoner of the he became a prisoner of the common people of Paris when common people of Paris when he tried to escape to England. he tried to escape to England. In 1793, he died at the In 1793, he died at the guillotine. guillotine.

The son of King Louis XVI, The son of King Louis XVI, King Louis XVII was King Louis XVII was proclaimed king but never proclaimed king but never ruled. He died in prison at the ruled. He died in prison at the age of 10 after his father’s age of 10 after his father’s death. death.

Allies installed Louis XVI’s Allies installed Louis XVI’s brother the next king, Louis brother the next king, Louis XVIII. XVIII.

Napoleon vs. Louis XVIIINapoleon vs. Louis XVIII

Napoleon vs. Louis XVIIINapoleon vs. Louis XVIII Louis XVIII moves around Louis XVIII moves around

Europe before settling in Europe before settling in England.England.

Napoleon becomes First Napoleon becomes First Consul for Life in 1802 and Consul for Life in 1802 and Emperor of France in 1804. Emperor of France in 1804. Essentially, he is a dictator.Essentially, he is a dictator.

Napoleon went to war with Napoleon went to war with Russia in 1812. Unable to beat Russia in 1812. Unable to beat the Russians, Napoleon’s the Russians, Napoleon’s weakened army retreated back weakened army retreated back to France. to France.

On April 11, 1814 Napoleon On April 11, 1814 Napoleon gave up rule of France. He gave up rule of France. He went into exile on the island of went into exile on the island of Elba.Elba.

Napoleon vs. Louis XVIIINapoleon vs. Louis XVIII Trying to reverse many of Trying to reverse many of

the results of the French the results of the French Revolution made Louis XVIII Revolution made Louis XVIII unpopular. unpopular.

Napoleon made a surprise Napoleon made a surprise return to France on March return to France on March 1, 1815. Joined by his former 1, 1815. Joined by his former troops, he again became troops, he again became ruler of France for 100 days. ruler of France for 100 days.

The struggle for power The struggle for power between Napoleon and Louis between Napoleon and Louis XVIII was decided by the XVIII was decided by the Battle of Waterloo with the Battle of Waterloo with the final overthrow of Napoleon final overthrow of Napoleon Bonaparte.Bonaparte.