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Dumas' the Count of Monte Cristo

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Dumas' the Count of Monte Cristo
Historical analysis of Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo is founded upon historical events and political intrigue. He not only uses historical facts to help the reader understand, he also weaves such details into the story to make it possible for his reader to have an understanding of the current events that were taking place in France, during that time (from approx. 1815 through 1838). Dumas would want his readers to be familiar with French history, and to have it in their mind as they read his beloved tale. In the 1800’s Marseilles was one of the largest ports in the south of France with a “population between 93,000 and 110,000”, thus trade flourished and it was home to many merchants, and businesses (Marseilles). This is where our story of revenge begins. Marseilles was the hometown of Edmond who we meet as a naïve sailor who is later to become imprisoned as a political criminal, and altered for life. Marseilles was also the home to both Edmond’s father who dies of hunger soon after his son was imprisoned, and Edmonds beautiful, and noble fiancé Mercedes who was a poor, Catalan. After Dantes’ imprisonment Mercedes cared for his father until he passed. She lost faith of Dantes ever being released from prison and back by her side, there for she felt she had no choice but to marry Fernand Mondego when he asked for her hand in marriage. Fernand Mondego was the jealous fisherman who also betrayed Dantes because he too was in love with Mercedes. Mondego saw, and seized the opportunity to thwart their love for one another. Military success brought Mondego a fortune, which allowed him to change his name to Count de Morcef, making Mercedes the Countess. The Morrel family (the owners of the ship, Pharaon), were also residents of Marseilles. Mr. Morrel felt a great deal of compassion for Dantes’ family which compelled him to not only invest with great effort, his time and money in an attempt to keep Dantes from an un-warranted


Cited: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 21 Nov. 2012 This article describes Chateau d’if the small Mediterranean island off the port of Marseille D 'Ammassa, Don. "The Count of Monte Cristo." Encyclopedia of Adventure Fiction. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008 Dumas, Alexandre. “The Count of Monte Cristo.” New York: Random House, 1996. Print. "Elba". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012 Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012 Marseille-provence. Marseille-provence.info. 2012. Web. 18 November 2012 This a web page has information on Marseille and the Chateau d’if that will help support Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 21 Nov. 2012 This article describes Montecristo Island of the coast of France, it gives details, and

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