The Count of Monte Cristo

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The Count of Monte Cristo Summary and Complete Study Guide

Name: The Count of Monte Cristo
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)
Author: Alexandre Dumas

by Alexandre Dumas

Published: 1844AdventureLiterary Classic

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✓ Full plot summary

Wrongly imprisoned for 14 years, Edmond Dantès escapes and becomes fabulously wealthy to exact perfect revenge on those who betrayed him.

Complete Plot Summary

On the eve of his wedding and promotion to captain, Edmond gets arrested on false charges of being a Bonapartist conspirator. Fernand wanted Mercedes, Danglars wanted Edmond's job, and Villefort needed to hide his own father's political connections. Edmond spends 14 years in the Château d'If prison, going nearly mad before meeting Abbé Faria. Faria educates him in science, languages, and swordsmanship, then reveals the location of massive treasure on Monte Cristo island. When Faria dies, Edmond escapes in the burial sack.

Main Characters in The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo features complex characters representing different aspects of society and the human condition.

Edmond Dantès is the young sailor whose life gets destroyed by jealousy and betrayal. Abbé Faria is the fellow prisoner who educates Edmond and tells him about hidden treasure. Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort are the three men who betray Edmond for their own gain. Mercedes is Edmond's fiancée who marries Fernand after thinking Edmond died. Years later, the Count of Monte Cristo (Edmond in disguise) appears in Paris society, impossibly wealthy and mysterious.

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The Ending Explained

Edmond finds the treasure, becomes the Count of Monte Cristo, and infiltrates Parisian high society where his enemies are now rich and powerful. He methodically ruins each one: Fernand loses his honor and fortune, Mercedes leaves him, and he commits suicide. Danglars loses his wealth and nearly starves. Villefort goes mad when the Count exposes his past crimes and his whole family is destroyed. But the Count realizes his revenge has hurt innocent people too. He saves some of them and learns that hatred consumed years of his life. He sails off with his new love Haydée, finally choosing a future over vengeance. The lessons? Revenge feels good in fantasy but corrodes your soul in practice. Justice and vengeance aren't the same thing. And ultimately, finding love and building a new life beats destroying old enemies.

Famous Quotes from The Count of Monte Cristo

“Wait and hope.”

Why This Book Matters

Published 1844-1846 in serial form. One of the most popular adventure novels ever written. Has been adapted into numerous films and remains a classic revenge tale.

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The Count of Monte Cristo Summary, Characters, Themes & Analysis | Complete Study Guide | FactsForFolks.com