Rhapsody In The Rain Character Analysis

Which characters best exemplify the idea of true love?
Love is a word that could be viewed in many different lights.The fluidity of such a could mean many different types of things.Such as a mother’s love for her newborn,a child’s love for their toy,the love shared between two people in a relation,and much more.This means almost every character could be shown showing love for something and or someone ,though in the context shown in the question is perhaps is leaning towards more of a romantic relationship rather a platonic with that being said , I believe that Edmond shows this ideology better than most,because love is what kept him from losing his humanity in his isolation and hatred.You could even go as far as to say that love kept him
alive. On the other side of things his lover mercedes is willing to protect him at all cost even if it means sacrificing herself to save him that is until he is gone for fourteen years and she marries another.Fernand(Fernand is Edmond’s Rival "Make no mistake: I should fight a duel for a trifle, an insult, a contradiction, a slap—and all the more merrily for knowing that, thanks to the skill I have acquired in all physical exercises and long experience of danger, I should be more or less certain of killing my opponent.
Oh, yes, indeed, I should fight a duel for any of these things; but in return for a slow, deep, infinite, eternal pain, I should return as nearly as possible a pain equivalent to the one inflicted on me. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as they say in the East, those men who are the elect of creation, and who have learnt to make a life of dreams and paradise a reality." (35.42)” (The count’s views on revenge show how heated the rivalry could become )her admirer and not that good of a guy.When Edmond returns she realizes her mistakes and is very harsh on herself "you had strength, you trusted in God, and God sustained you. I was a coward, I denied Him, so God abandoned me; and here I am!" (112.105).Edmond leaves and finds new love with another woman named Haydée.While Mercedes
is left at edmond old apartment to live with her guilt.

What events does the author use to build suspense? List 3 or more example.
Suspense is built throughout most of this novel , thoughts of what will happen to them,what will their actions do to the future in the novel , are questions that wander one's mind when reading this novel and a few examples of this are when it first starts with edmond being thrown in jail and being removed from his perfect life . A drastic change happens and goes from two completely different things causing a fear for edmonds safety and being.Another suspenseful thing the author did was make us fear the possibility of death "He kicked out vigorously and rose unhampered to the surfaces, while the cannon ball dragged to the unknown depths the sacking which had so nearly became his shroud." (page 112) The suspense is built because of the mystery surrounding the situation before you read more and find out if a person dies or not a specific account of this is with the character Madame de Villefort example "Go and Attend to Madame de Villefort, she is not well," he said to the nurse. "But Mademoiselle de Villefort?" stammered the nurse. " Mademoiselle de Villefort has no further need of help: she is dead!" (Page 503) when you know she’s fallen ill you have a feeling of will she live and be okay and i find the author doing this a lot in this novel. Another time when suspense is felt when the men are plotting to throw edmond in jail for treason it’s gives a feel of will he be okay and will the people believe this claim of treason? I think the author is really good at displaying suspense throughout the novel and it just really adds to an already amazing story.
What methods does Dante’s use to exact revenge against different characters? Were these acts justified? Why or why not
His ideology is "Make no mistake: I should fight a duel for a trifle, an insult, a contradiction, a slap—and all the more merrily for knowing that, thanks to the skill I have acquired in all physical exercises and long experience of danger, I should be more or less certain of killing my opponent.
Oh, yes, indeed, I should fight a duel for any of these things; but in return for a slow, deep, infinite, eternal pain, I should return as nearly as possible a pain equivalent to the one inflicted on me. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as they say in the East, those men who are the elect of creation, and who have learnt to make a life of dreams and paradise a reality." (35.42)” which shows he’s a man who believes in seeking revenge if one acts on him first,in a sense already that justifies the revenge because of the mere principle of justice being served on those who have done wrong now the punishment or extent he goes for the revenge is up to open criticism ,to see what is right or wrong.First to see if something is right or wrong one must look at the definition to what is right or wrong because it is very subjective and i do believe there is no one right answer to a question like this .for it is for the eye of the beholder to decide but a in layman terms it’s bad because death is shed but it’s also good because it was in the name of justice and that is what matters in
life.
Who is the cruelest character in the novel? Explain your answer
Edmond he’s such a hateful man,his heart is filled with revenge and here’s quotes to prove that claim "Poor young man!" Monte Cristo muttered, so low that even he could not hear these words of compassion as he spoke them. "It is written that the sins of the father shall be visited on the sons, even to the third and fourth generation." (85.135),You know, mother, Monsieur de Monte Cristo is almost a man of the East and an Oriental; in order not to interfere with his freedom to take revenge, he never eats or drinks in his enemy's house." (88.39) these quotes show is vengeance and cruelty his vengeance knows no bounds and will not stop for anyone

Should Edmond have chosen Mercedes instead of Haydee? Explain your answer
Mercedes loved him but she messed up when she didn't wait for him she moved on to someone worse and ruined her chances and was left to forever weep if she simply didn't make that terrible decisions i would have said that she was better in my personal opinion but if you put yourself in the shoes of edmonds then you would have felt heartbroken even betrayed when you came back and saw your lover in the arms of your enemy it’s very wrong so that is why i say haydee is better than mercedes "you had strength, you trusted in God, and God sustained you. I was a coward, I denied Him, so God abandoned me; and here I am!" (112.105) here is the proof that she still loved him even though her grave mistake that she had made then.

How did the historical context* influence the characters and the plot?
Historically one is carried through the closing Hundred days of Napoleon's Dynasty, the reigns of Louis XVIII, Charles X, and Louis Philipe, and the Revolution of July. These events however, do not particularly intrude upon the story.
"Well, then, I should say, for instance," resumed Danglars, "that if after a voyage such as Dantes has just made, in which he touched at the Island of Elba, someone were to denounce him to the king's procureur as a Bonapartist agent" (Chapter 4)
The historical concept is another good element to the story taking history we already know and putting little spins on it is always fascinating
Does Dumas believe vengeance is wrong? Explain your answer

I think he does believe vengeance is wrong. Check out Dantes' mentor Abe says,
Abbe Faria: Here is your final lesson - do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said, Vengeance is mine.
Edmond Dantes: I don't believe in God.
Abbe Faria: It doesn't matter. He believes in you. ” (Chapter 6)
Revenge is the running theme in this story. Revenge drives the characters and the plot forward. Dumas, however, leaves the satisfaction of revenge up to the reader. Even though Dentes achieves what he set out to do, there is a sense of emptiness in him. Like Dumas, the reader might ask if all the carnage and collateral damage that goes with revenge is worth it? Perhaps, in the end, Abbe Faria said it best,
I regret having helped you in your investigation and said what I did to you," he remarked.
"Why is that?" Dantès asked.
"Because I have insinuated a feeling into your heart that was not previously there: the desire for revenge.
Change your perspective on a character and provide five charac ter traits that would NOT necessarily be associated with that character. Give textual examples to support your answer