He calls himself the Count of Monte Cristo, sure, but he's just as interested in securing other people, like Benedetto, titles. He doesn't buy himself a government position or a title. It is true that Monte Cristo doesn't use his unlimited resources in the way many people – Danglars and Fernand for instance – would use theirs. Now, we have it from the Count himself that this is a good description, but we're left to puzzle out why. "That is the most accurate description of myself that I have ever heard," the stranger said. He finds satisfaction elsewhere than in the things of this world and does not aspire to any honours, taking only those that can fit on his passport." "Oh, father," said Albert, smiling, "you clearly do not know the Count of Monte Cristo. First, a little analysis from the surprisingly sharp Albert de Morcerf: This may be a little counterintuitive, but we might be able to get some insight by looking at some small bits of texts, by looking for the ways in which Edmond is defined by others and by himself. The plan itself – separate from the planner – is like the world's largest, longest Rube Goldberg machine, an amazing contraption filled with bizarre twists and turns, strange levers, bells and whistles, maybe an explosion or two, a few kidnappings, an assassination attempt, executions…oh, sorry, we're losing track of our metaphors now.
We have to try and look at the big picture – we say try, because the picture is massive. Oh man, you say, you remember the telegraph ploy? How about that dinner party where he brought the exotic fish out in the tanks of water? These anecdotes are entertaining and, frankly, amazing, but they're distracting too. There are so many facets to Edmond's personality, and so many parts to his plan that it's all too easy to get overwhelmed in the particulars. All these names are masks, though, mirages meant to distract others – and us – from the human being within. These names may bear testament to Edmond's imagination and resourcefulness. Sometimes he assumes a different role within a matter of minutes. Where to begin, where to begin? How about with a list of aliases? Edmond is the Count of Monte Cristo, Sinbad the Sailor, the Chief Clerk of Thomson and French, Abbé Busoni, Lord Wilmore, and M. It's what you might call the moment of the Count of Monte Cristo's conception. It's that desire that gives him the resolve to escape prison and find the treasure. As Abbé Faria says – in case you haven't noticed, the abbé is usually right about most things – "I have insinuated a feeling into your heart that was not previously there: the desire for revenge" (17.95). That realization marks the beginning of Edmond's transformation into the Count, for even before he has the title, the treasure, and the tools, he has the thirst for revenge and that thirst for revenge is awakened by the recognition of his enemies. (17.57-58)įaria goes on to make the point that, in the scheme of things, no one is insignificant, and before you can say "revenge" Edmond has finally realized how he ended up in prison. No one's for heaven's sake! I was so insignificant. Hence the maxim: if you wish to find the guilty party, first discover whose interests the crime serves! Whose interests might be served by your disappearance? This exchange between Faria and Edmond is a good example: Every time he tells someone – whether Villefort or Faria – that he can't think why someone would want to hurt him, the more obvious his innocence, his ignorance of human nature, becomes. He's innocent, naïve, and forgiving, maybe not quite so naïve as his father, but close. Young Edmond doesn't usually have insights like these. One must fight to gain it and, in truth, I do not know what I have done to deserve the good fortune of becoming Mercédès' husband." (5.23) "I cannot think that man is meant to find happiness so happily! Happiness is like one of those palaces on an enchanted island, its gates guarded by dragons. On the day of his betrothal, Edmond tells Caderousse, How does he keep track of all of the many roles he plays? And what does it say about him that he is able to change personas so easily? Young Edmond
And, yet, who is this guy really? Somewhere along the way, we almost forget who the Count really is – so completely has he transformed into a new person and a new identity (make that several new identities). Edmond Dantès is a man of many faces and many disguises.
0 kommentar(er)
