Count of Monte Cristo Theme:

Count of Monte Cristo Theme: The Importance of Hope

Hope is vital to Edmond Dante's survival in the epic work The Count of Monte Cristo. Hope is also the foundation for the novel that transforms the plot from one of vengeance and justice to a novel that focuses instead on survival and encourages the reader to stay firm in his convictions to realize that which is right and fair in the world.

In The Count of Monte Cristo Edmond Dante enjoys a blessed and lively life until he stirs up jealousy of his friend Mondego, who covets his possessions and ultimately betrays him, destroying his life at least temporarily.

The work of art describes many themes but hope is ultimately central to the characters survival and infuses the main character Dante with the strength and courage he needs to overcome his enemy's transgressions and in the end, win back all that is rightfully his. While many themes dominate certain aspects of the plot including love and human justice, ultimately it is hope that drives the plot and encourages the reader to side with Dante and carries him through to his ultimate success in the end. These ideas are explored in greater detail below.

Analysis

For multiple twisted reasons Dante while mostly innocent is sent to prison for treason. The reasons he is sent to suffer include jealousy and other man's fears that Dante will reveal the worst about their actions. It is in prison that Dante first discovers hope while staying in the Chateau d'If. Here Dante encounters a man by the name of Abbe Faria who teaches Dante much of the world including subjects like history, philosophy and languages (Goldstein, 2005). This helps Dante transform into an educated man, capable of competing against his enemies. In prison Faria also bestows on Dante treasures that he has hid on the island of Monte Cristo. Here Dante discovers hope and discovers that with his newfound knowledge and education he can once more conquer and regain all that is rightfully his.

When Dante escapes to claim what is his, he holds on tight to hope, considering his fortune "a gift from God, given to him for the sole purpose of rewarding those who have tried to help him and punish those who have hurt him" (Goldstein, 2005). While some may consider his actions more an act of vengeance (Kaplan, 2003; O'Neill, 1994) than hope, ultimately Dante follows his heart and trusts in God to direct him to what he believes a worthy cause (Grenier, 2002; Tornqvist, 1969).

In some sections of the novel it is Dante who is in fact described by his hopeful nature, characterized as "Old Dante, who was only sustained by hope" (Dumas, 1928:30). Dante later pleads after being arrested "tell me at least to hope" further emphasizing his characters foundation of hope for survival (Dumas, 1928:32). Still later after imprisonment Dante is described as falling on his knees praying, "but this time with a fresh inmate... Hope" (Dumas, 1928:32). The author clearly depicts Dante despite his wretched circumstances as a man reliant on hope for survival, justice and life.

The extent to which Dante relies on hope is most fervently revealed while he is imprisoned. It is here that not only the author describes Dante as a man filled with hope but also where Dante discusses his own hope as central to his consciousness and well being. There are times in the bleakness of prison where he doubts hope and his innocence as one can only but expect given the surroundings. "He commenced with pride, a natural consequence of hope and consciousness of innocence; then began to doubt his own innocence" (Dumas, 1928: 35). Dante turns however throughout the work while imprisoned to God for hope.

Hope is also the means through which Dante overcomes the gloom that possesses him while imprisoned. This gloom is followed by a wealth of other emotions including rage and death, torture and suicide. "By constantly dwelling on the idea that response was death... he began to reflect on suicide" (Dumas, 1928: 35). Eventually however Dante turns again to God and hope to pull through his dire circumstances.

Dante rediscovers his hope in prison through gloomy moments when he meets his companion, Faria (Bloom, 1987). Upon learning he would meet a new prisoner Dante is described as "full of hope, Dante swallowed a few mouthfuls of bread... found himself well-nigh recovered" (Dumas, 1928: 36). While sometimes wavering in his conviction, Dante not once fully abandons his hope of flight and freedom, as well as vengeance and success once he escapes from his gloomy confines.

Dante prison companion, Faria, also describes his student as filled with hope. At one point Faria describes Dante as "young and full of hope and prospect, and tremble lest I should not assure to one as worthy as yourself the possession of so vast an amount of hidden treasure" (Dumas, 1928: 60). Dante is almost put up on a pedestal throughout the novel by his friends, family members and peers because of the very trait that sets him apart from everyone else... that is his extreme conviction and determination to see things through based solely on his faith and hope in regaining all that is rightfully his.

Up until the very end of the novel Monte Cristo is described by all that meet him as a man filled with "faith and hope" (Moorton, 1991: 27). Dante represents hope and suggests that dying is nothing more than extinguishing one's hope (Moorton, 1991) thus for man to survive and thrive he must hold on to hope more tightly than any other emotion or feeling. In the very last chapters when the Monte Cristo bids the young man adieu, he states "you who love, and are beloved; you who have faith and hope... do not follow my example... adieu my generous friend" (Dumas, 1928: 476). Here Monte Cristo is described as smiling with "benevolent kindness," and the scene is described as filled with "brilliant light" and "marvelous beauty" (Dumas, 1928: 476). In the end the author shows that Dante's hope was never in vain, and that in the end, even in the face of death, Dante's hope is what was necessary to ensure that justice prevailed and all is right with the world.

Dante ends the work eloquently, suggesting that all should enjoy what life has to offer. He cries that mankind should "live then, and be happy... And never forget... all human wisdom is contained in these two words... wait and hope" (Dumas, 1928: 479). Here any doubts the reader has that hope is central to the novel are erased. Here Dante himself confirms that all that is worth living for is embodied under the notion of faith and hope. Here again Dante affirms his conviction and dedication to God and encourages others to do the same. It is hope that fuels human wisdom in Dante mind, it is hope that fuels the human spirit and makes all that is possible readily available to those that are willing to embrace hope with open arms and an open spirit.

Conclusions

Hope is the central theme in The Count of Monte Cristo that not only drives the main character to realize his convictions but also stimulates the plot and keep the reader motivated to follow Dante through to the end. To that extent, some might consider Dante a hero, thus in the work The Count of Monte Cristo the main character Edmond Dante might almost be considered a hero (Engel, 1953). A hero is often someone that inspires and infuses others with faith and conviction; Dante is able to achieve this throughout the work, primarily through his relentless perusal of that which is rightfully his based on his hope and faith alone.