The Count Of Monte Cristo Essay

In Alexandre Dumas’ work, The Count of Monte Cristo, the two mythic themes of death and resurrection and of the fall occur throughout. Writer Amelita Marinetti delves within the impact of these concepts, in the article, “Death, Resurrection, and Fall in Dumas’ Comte de Monte Cristo,” uncovering that the resurrection and fall of a character like Monte Cristo was necessary to bring justice to that society and allow the innocent like Maximilien to “Wait and hope.”
The first theme Amelita Marinetti focuses on is death and resurrection. In the beginning of the novel, Edmond Dantes, later known as the Count of Monte Cristo, is a “hero in a state of relative innocence” (Marinetti). At his own betrothal feast, Dantes is arrested for an accusation of treason and loses everything (his love, potential for his dream
job, etc.).
This is the “death” of Edmond Dantes. He goes to prison and, with the help of another prisoner, learns the cause of his fall: men whom he trusted and considered friends. He is furious, which begins his thirst for revenge. After successfully escaping prison and obtaining a massive fortune, Dantes is “resurrected”, starting his new life as the Count of Monte Cristo. Although some may argue otherwise, this resurrection is necessary for eventual justice to society and allowing the innocent to “Wait and hope.” It is necessary because if it had not occurred, the Count’s journey toward justice could not have begun.
Stemming off this is the second theme: the fall. This is occurs when Monte Cristo pursues his plan for revenge. The Count of Monte Cristo’s plans seems to fall into place perfectly in the beginning. In fact, he eventually reaches justice, after taking away
everything important to his adversaries: love, money, etc. However, as unexpected obstacles and experiences fall in his path, he eventually questions what Marinetti calls “the rightness of his mission.” This period of doubt, which is caused by his fall, leads to his desire to do good. It sparks “his return to the world of death through the two young lovers he has chosen as his spiritual descendants.” (Marinetti) This is where the innocent Maximilien comes in. Maximilien is deeply in love with a girl named Valentine, but they seem to be star-crossed lovers. Arranged marriage and other complications constantly fall between the two. The Count of Monte Cristo saves their relationship. The Count manages to fake the death of Valentine, causing Maximilien to mourn and mope about life. The Count invites Maximilien to his island, supposedly to allow Maximilien to die in peace. After consuming a substance that he thought would kill him, Maximilien is surprised to see his lover alive and well. If it weren’t for the Count of Monte Cristo’s own fall, and perhaps his belief that one must desire death before understanding the wonder of life, which was developed in the many times he desired death himself, allowing Maximilien to truly “Wait and hope.” could not have occurred. This is because, without having experienced these mythical themes, it would the Count would not have reached the realizations and desires necessary for this to happen.
In the end, justice is achieved and allowing the innocent like Maximilien to truly “Wait and hope.” did occur. Based upon Martinetti’s argument, it is clear that the mythical themes of death and resurrection and of the fall were crucial for these events to occur.