Symbolism In The Count Of Monte Cristo
The novel The Count of Monte Cristo written by Alexandre Dumas has many aspects of symbolism that enhance the story of Edmond Dantès’ quest for revenge. Not only are the objects and people symbolic but perhaps the most significant and symbolic aspects of the book are the occurrences throughout the story. First, the sea has significant underlying meaning throughout the plot beginning when Edmond Dantès escapes prison and is cast into the sea. Second, the way in which the Count of Monte Cristo achieves revenge is reflected by the way, which each villain made the Count suffer. Finally and possibly the most sobering of all examples of symbolism in this book is that of Dantès’ giving Mercédès the last piece of his past self; the money he had saved
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Yet, for the Count of Monte Cristo, Mercédès symbolized what might have been and she was a painful reminder of his past life and suffering throughout the years. “...Twenty-four years ago I returned to my country happy and proud. I had a fiancée, a saintly young girl whom I worshipped, and I had three thousand francs, which I slowly amassed by constant hard work. That money was for her...That money was meant to contribute to the happiness of the woman I loved; you will understand why, instead of offering her the millions I could now give her, I give her back only the pittance which has lain forgotten since the day I was separated from her.” (387-388) The dowry Edmond had saved for meant so much more than all the millions because it was meant for her coming from not a merciless Count but a young sailor who loved her. “‘Believe me when I say that the woman who was the only one to recognize you was also the only one to understand you...I live between two graves. One is that of Edmond Dantès, who died so long ago and whom I loved; I wouldn’t part with that memory for anything in the world.’” (495) As Mercédès left that day in Marseilles she symbolized the last piece of Edmond Dantès leaving forever. Mercédès was gone and with her the memory of Edmond Dantès would be
Yet, for the Count of Monte Cristo, Mercédès symbolized what might have been and she was a painful reminder of his past life and suffering throughout the years. “...Twenty-four years ago I returned to my country happy and proud. I had a fiancée, a saintly young girl whom I worshipped, and I had three thousand francs, which I slowly amassed by constant hard work. That money was for her...That money was meant to contribute to the happiness of the woman I loved; you will understand why, instead of offering her the millions I could now give her, I give her back only the pittance which has lain forgotten since the day I was separated from her.” (387-388) The dowry Edmond had saved for meant so much more than all the millions because it was meant for her coming from not a merciless Count but a young sailor who loved her. “‘Believe me when I say that the woman who was the only one to recognize you was also the only one to understand you...I live between two graves. One is that of Edmond Dantès, who died so long ago and whom I loved; I wouldn’t part with that memory for anything in the world.’” (495) As Mercédès left that day in Marseilles she symbolized the last piece of Edmond Dantès leaving forever. Mercédès was gone and with her the memory of Edmond Dantès would be