The Count of Monte Cristo Alexandre Dumas

Meet the Author

Alexandre Dumas One of the most famous French writers of the 19th century, Dumas is best known for historical adventure novels. A “historical novel” is a novel set fifty or more years in the past, and one in which the author is writing more from research rather than personal experience. Dumas’ works are fast-paced adventure tales that blend history and fiction, as well as entangled melodrama that is not entirely faithful to the historical facts. Interesting Fact: Dumas also wrote the famous adventure novels The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask! Alexandre was the son of Napoleon’s famous mulatto general Dumas. Dumas was the son of a French aristocrat and a Haitian black slave. 1802-1870

Alexandre Dumas When Dumas was 4, his father died. His family was very poor, and Dumas’ education was very minimal. Dumas, however, loved to read extensively. Growing up, his mother's stories of his father's brave military acts during the glory years of Napoleon I of France spawned Alexandre's vivid imagination for adventure and heroes. Dumas’ literary career began in Paris where he began writing articles for magazines and plays for the theatre. In 1829 his first solo play, Henry III and his Court, was produced, meeting with great public acclaim. The following year his second play, Christine, proved equally popular, and as a result, he was financially able to work full time at writing. A common practice of the day, Dumas had several collaborators on the majority of his works, none of whom ever received credit.

Alexandre Dumas Interesting Fact: In 1830, Dumas participated in the revolution that ousted King Charles X and replaced him on the throne with Dumas's former employer, the duc d'Orléans, who would rule as Louis-Philippe, the last king of France. After writing more successful plays, he turned his efforts to novels. Dumas is credited with revolutionizing the historical novel in France. He was also among the first to fully use the possibilities of roman feuilleton, the serial novel. A serial novel is a single story told in continuous installments that are printed in a newspaper or magazine. The COMC was originally published in 18 installments!

Alexandre Dumas, pere The “Playa” Known as the “King of Paris,” Dumas earned fortunes and spent them right away on friends, art, and mistresses. In fact, Dumas’ illegitimate son Alexandre Dumas fils was also a famous writer! Dumas lived as adventurously as the heroes of his books. He took part in the Revolution of July 1830, caught cholera during the epidemic of 1832, and traveled to Italy to recuperate. Dumas died a pauper, but happy. Dumas suffered a stroke and died on December 5, 1870. Dumas’s house called The Chateau de Monte Cristo. There is a separate building where Dumas could work privately called the Chateau d’If. Short of money, Dumas had to sell the house after living in it only 2 years. Today it is a museum.

The Count of Monte Cristo A Tale of Justice, Revenge, Mercy, and Forgiveness

The Count of Monte Cristo The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean and the Levant during the historical events of 1815–1838. (This is just after the French Revolution has ended). Interesting Fact: Dumas got the idea for The Count of Monte Cristo from a true story, which he found in a memoir written by a man named Jacques Peuchet. Peuchet related the story of a shoemaker named Pierre Picaud, who was living in Paris in 1807. Picaud was engaged to marry a rich woman, but four jealous friends falsely accused him of being a spy for England. He was imprisoned for seven years. During his imprisonment, a dying fellow prisoner bequeathed him a treasure hidden in Milan. When Picaud was released in 1814, he took possession of the treasure, returned under another name to Paris and spent ten years plotting his successful revenge against his former “friends.” Marseilles. The first island in the center is the Chateau d’If

The Chateau d’If TODAY http://france-for-visitors.com/photo-gallery/marseille/chateau-if.html

The Count of Monte Cristo Exploring the Plot Edmond Dantes, a dashing 19 year old sailor, has everything going for him. He returns home to Marseilles with the promise of being made captain. He is also looking forward to marrying his beautiful, Catalan fiancé Mercedes. Everything is about to change as Edmond’s good fortune inspires jealousy in those close to him. Dantes’ promotion to captain has made the ship’s purser, Danglars, jealous. Dantes’ financial situation stuns his neighbor, Caderousse, and Dantes’ relationship with Mercedes inspires the jealousy of her cousin, Fernand Mondego. An “anonymous” letter is written to the deputy prosecutor, Villefort, accusing Dantes’ of being a Bonapartist - a traitor to the Royalists who are in power.

This adventure novel takes place between the years of 1815-1838 This adventure novel takes place between the years of 1815-1838. Because the historical setting is a fundamental element of the story, it is vital to understand the political situation in France at the time of the story. The French Revolution has ended, but the lasting effects have not. So, to understand the current political situation in our story, we must travel back to the French Revolution.

The French Revolution 1789-1799 Noting a downward economic spiral, King Louis XVI brought in financial advisers to review the weakened French treasury. The advisers noted that a radical change was needed in the way the public was taxed. King Louis XVI had them kicked out.

The French Revolution I am a peasant. I have nothing. When the crops fail to grow the prices rise and I starve. I am a lord. I have lots of money and do not want to pay any extra taxes to the king! I am a lord. I have lots of money and do not want to pay any extra taxes to the king! I am a bishop of the church. I have lots of money but I do not want to give the king any extra taxes either! I am King Louis XVI. I have run out of money fighting the British. Perhaps the lords and the church could give me some more taxes? Realizing that the taxation problem really did need to be addressed, King Louis XVI brought in Charles de Calonne, the new controller general of finance, in 1783. Calonne suggested taxing the nobility, who had been previously exempt from taxation. The nobility refused.

The French Revolution 1789-1799 As a last attempt to amend the taxation problem, Louis XVI convened the Estates-General in May 1789. They met to discuss the deep financial crisis the French government was experiencing; however, they could not even agree on how voting would proceed once deliberations began. The bourgeoisie realized they would always be outvoted by the nobility, thus, they walked out of the assembly and established the National Assembly. They claimed to legitimately represent the people of France. The French Revolution had begun!

The French Revolution Louis XVI eventually lost his power, and in August of 1792, he became a prisoner of the common people of Paris when he tried to escape to England. In 1793, he died at the guillotine. The son of King Louis XVI, King Louis XVII was proclaimed king but never ruled. He died in prison at the age of 10 after his father’s death. Allies installed Louis XVI’s brother the next king, Louis XVIII.

Napoleon vs. Louis XVIII

Napoleon vs. Louis XVIII Louis XVIII moves around Europe before settling in England. Napoleon becomes First Consul for Life in 1802 and Emperor of France in 1804. Essentially, he is a dictator. Napoleon went to war with Russia in 1812. Unable to beat the Russians, Napoleon’s weakened army retreated back to France. On April 11, 1814 Napoleon gave up rule of France. He went into exile on the island of Elba.

Napoleon vs. Louis XVIII Trying to reverse many of the results of the French Revolution made Louis XVIII unpopular. Napoleon made a surprise return to France on March 1, 1815. Joined by his former troops, he again became ruler of France for 100 days. The struggle for power between Napoleon and Louis XVIII was decided by the Battle of Waterloo with the final overthrow of Napoleon Bonaparte.