count of monte cristo
Theme Analysis The theme of The Count of Monte Cristo is one of vengeance and forgiveness, power and powerlessness. ... To reinforce this change, Dumas refers to Dantes as the Count of Monte Cristo once he returns to society. Now the count, not his enemies, plays games with those he dislikes. Though he rewards those who treated him and his father well, most of the story is devoted to Monte Cristo’s desire for vengeance. ... Yet when he sees Villefort’s dead son, a truly innocent victim, the count realizes that he has gone too far. ... In efforts to reconcile these feelings, Monte Cristo arranges the marriage between Maximilien and Valentine. At first he hopes to punish himself by committing suicide, but when Haydee admits her love for him, the count takes it as a sign from God that he is forgiven. Monte Cristo concludes the book with these two parting quotes: Count: “Tell the angel who will watch over your life to pray now and then for a man who, like Satan, believed himself for an instant to be equal to God, but who realized in all humility that supreme power and wisdom are in the hands of God alone.” Count: “Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss. ... Character Profiles Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo: Dantes is the main character of the novel.