Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• July 24, 1802 – December 5, 1870
• French writer
• Part Haitian
• Historical novels of high adventure
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• Born in a village northeast of Paris
• Father: He was a leading general in
Napoleon's army, died (Dumas was almost 4
when this happened)
• By the time young Dumas was born his family
had lost all pretensions to wealth, and his
widowed mother struggled to give him a
decent education.
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• Even though he had barely any education,
he read anything he could get his hands on
• His mother's stories of his father's brave
military acts during the glory years of
Napoleon I of France spawned his vivid
imagination for adventure and heroes
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• When he was older he began to
write articles for magazines as
well as plays for the theatre
• In 1829 his first solo play,
Henry III and his Court, was
produced, meeting with great
public acclaim.
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• Dumas believed in the principles of social equality and
individual rights, and he tried to infuse his dramatic works
with these principles.
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• February 1, 1840, he married
an actress, Ida Ferrier, born
Marguerite-Joséphine Ferrand
(1811 – 1859) but continued
having numerous affairs with
other women, fathering at
least four illegitimate children.
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• His writing earned him a great deal of
money, but Dumas was frequently broke
or in debt as a result of spending lavishly
on women and high living.
• Love affairs, foreign adventures, and liked
to spend money.
• Generous man
Alexandre Dumas Sr.
• Dumas suffered a
stroke on December
5, 1870 in his son’s
home in France.
The Count of Monte Cristo
• Dumas' most popular work
• Completed in 1844
• Story takes place in France, Italy,
islands in the Mediterranean and the
Middle East during the historical
events of 1815–1838
The Count of Monte Cristo
• It is primarily concerned with themes
of justice, vengeance, mercy, and
forgiveness, and is told in the style of
an adventure story.
• When first released, the Catholic
church in France condemned it
because of its powerful message it
presented the reader.
The Count of Monte Cristo
• Force of divine justice
• Focuses on man-man hatred
• Monte Cristo's character does
not arouse sympathy, yet
somehow his actions are
justified. He is almost a
mythological hero.
Napoleon
Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte
• Key figure in French politics during the first
quarter of the nineteenth century
• General who rose to prominence during the
French Revolution
• Saved the revolutionary government from an
angry mob and led the French army to
victories
Napoleon Bonaparte
• French senate voted him
emperor
• Widely beloved by the people
• He abolished serfdom and
feudalism and guaranteed
basic human rights
Napoleon Bonaparte
• He simplified the court system, took steps to make
education universally available, and standardized
national codes of law to ensure that the rights and
liberties won during the French Revolution—
equality before the law and freedom of religion—
could not be taken away.
• Dogged by an increasing number of enemies and
looming military defeat, Napoleon was forced to
step down from his throne
Napoleon Bonaparte
• He was exiled to the Mediterranean
island of Elba
• Napoleon escaped from Elba,
secretly sailed to France, and
marched on Paris, defeating the
royal troops. (It is information
about this return to power that is
contained in the letter Dantès is
caught conveying to Paris.)