Monte Cristo

Edmond Dantes, once a kind-hearted, well-respected sailor and man, dramatically developed into a hateful, vengeful man. In the beginning of the novel, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, he was loyal and insisted that he, “owes everything to his father and Mercedes” because his father had raised him to be the responsible man he was. His crew respected him and followed his orders. However, after spending 14 years in the Chateau d’If, he sought revenge after those who did him wrong. His heart was filled with such a strong hatred that he didn’t have any room for love. Abbe Faria spoke to Dantes about the thought of revenge and confessed, “I regret having helped you clarify your past…because I have instilled in your heart a feeling that wasn’t there before: vengeance” (Dumas 58). Faria blames himself for Edmond’s change of heart while in prison. He had
The count felt regretful about his revenge because he believed that it should’ve God’s will to decide the fate of his wrongdoers. The old Edmond was revealed through his pure spirit and faith in God. He feels that he should’ve trusted God to rightfully punish them which exposed his regret and sympathy. Another repetitive theme was love conquers all hate. In the end of the novel, the count puts aside his hatred and confesses his love to Haydee and they leave together to start a new life. The count declares, “I wanted to punish myself, but God wishes to forgive me” (Dumas 529). He is given new hope and new life because of Haydee, and he is overcome with love and passion to erase his hatred and negativity. Lastly, the theme, of wait and hope is reoccurring throughout the novel. The count says this to Valentine and Maximilien countless times to inspire them to have patience because the best things come to those who wait. Just like the count waited 14 years for vengeance and for Haydee, they would wait to love each