Alfonso Henriquez

The story only got better, from the drama of Dantes getting imprisoned because of jealousy and envy to his arrival to Paris a mysterious and wealthy man. Alexander Dumas’s Count of Monte Cristo is an in-depth story in which he writes of the law and government, God and religion, and social classes in 19th century France. Villefort's character as a prosecutor shows how laws being man made serve the men who society holds responsible for enforcing them. When Edmound is detained for being a bonapartist the general opinion is that it was unjust however even today treason is a crime punishable by death however once Villefort learns of his own father's involvement in the treasonous act instead of following through with the law he takes matters into his own hands and destroys evidence to avoid a scandal for himself a trait which will later be his demise. Abbe Farias role as Dantes friend and mentor exhibits how corrupt the Vatican and Pope were viewed. The treasure which Dantes is informed about belonged to Cardinal Spada who is said to have purchased his cardinals hat from Pope Alexander VI. Cardinal Spada was later poisoned by order of the Pope, leaving his treasure for the taking. To paint a more detailed picture Pope Alexander VI belonged to the Notorious Borgia family and was known for his vast personal wealth. This is one of the many historical facts that makes the story so intriguing. Based on Dumas’s descriptions of the social classes in 19th century Paris there was an immense gap between the rich and the poor. Name and title determine a person’s worth regardless of their character. This distinction is made apparent through our Italian Prince Andrea Calvalcanti. The count showed us how easily one could destroy those social barriers with a well orchestrated lie. This book does not disappoint and no stone is left unturned. We are taken back in time to meet the elite of Parisian society and we’re teleported through the tornado of Napoleon. Our journey with Edmond Dantes was not of Triumph or failure nor good or bad. We learned that money comes and goes and we also learned that knowledge is power. Some say it's a book of vengeance but I say it's a story of providence. In the end all we can do is “Wait” and “Hope”.