In the first 160 or so pages, a lot has occurred plot wise. The pace of the story was exceedingly quick, with events transpiring at pace that would be confusing to most. It only truly makes sense if re-read once or twice, so as to fully grasp the meaning of the events. Alexander Dumas introduces several main characters, including Edmond Dantés, Danglars, Ferdinand, Mercedés, Morrel, and de Villefort, not necessarily in that order. Among these characters and other, there are numerous interactions and relationships that complicate the story, and at the same time make it all the more interesting. Although everything centers around Edmond Dantés, Alexander Dumas maneuvers the point of view to allow the reader the advantages of the third-person omniscient POV.
Edmond Dantés is a sailor that works for Morrel. A noble and courageous person at only nineteen years old, he faces both great joy and great tragedy in the first section of the book. After arriving home from a long and exhausting voyage, Edmond came home and was awarded the title of captain of the Pharon by Morrel. Morrel owns a shipping company for which Edmond works, and is almost like a second father to Edmond. He cares very much for Edmond and feels an unimaginable pride for his success. However, this promotion stirred malicious emotions in his colleague Danglars. His senior, Danglars was angry and jealous that Edmond received such a prestigious title at such young age. Most likely, this happened because Danglars' age and experience far outweighs Edmonds, yet Danglars was not given the job, and to add salt to the wound, Danglars had to lie through his teeth by giving approval of Morrel's decision.
Edmond then goes to see his lover, Mercedés, but he also meets another character, Ferdinand. Ferdinand is also in love with Mercedés, but Mercedés is loyal to Edmond, and would not leave her. This creates a complicated love triangle, with two members sharing a love and a jealous third wheel. I predicted that Ferdinand would take revenge on Edmond for keeping his lover with him, and I was correct.
Danglars, Ferdinand, and Caderouse, Edmond's neighbor, all conspired against him. They hate him for various other reasons, and eventually created a plan to make him go to jail. They found a letter from Napoleon to the Pharon's late captain, which would incriminate Edmond as a Bonapartist. This was extremely severe because Napoleon had just been exiled to the remote island, and any possible contact of Napoleon with supporters could lead him to start another uprising, which would create a dire situation for the current ruler, Louis XVIII. This is a conflict, that although not explored, plays a key role in the story so far.
As one may predict, Danglar's plan, of which he was the mastermind, actually worked, and Edmond was thrown into jail, where he befriended an Abbe, or prestigious priest. This abbe knew much about the world, and after the two had created a hole between their dungeon cells, Edmond learned all the abbe had to teach him. Edmond also learned of a treasure that the abbe's former boss had. The abbe's boss was a count who's ancestor had a great fortune, hidden away somewhere for his children to find. Although the last count could not find the treasure, the abbe figured it out. But sadly, he was diagnosed with epilepsy, or the condition of frequent seizures, which eventually killed him before Edmond and the abbe could escape. So Edmond escaped and found the treasure, questioning all of his relationships so far.
I predict that after this incident, Edmond will be more cautious. It is quite apparent that a sense of protection and caution would exist within Edmond after all that had happened to him. I also predict that he would seek revenge on his "friends" who betrayed him. He did go to Caderouse, and he explained to Edmond how the plan unfolded and also how he was innocent. This event foreshadows Edmond taking action, as the first step to a successful plan is to gather good and solid information. So I know Edmond will take revenge, but I do not know how he will go about doing it …. Overall, this has been an extremely interesting story. The fast pace, I predict, will end here, with a more methodical and slower pace taking hold. Perhaps this book may be about morals and about a age-old questions that is "Do the ends justify the means?" Who knows ….
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