The Count Of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas

“But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” (Exodus 21:23-25). The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is a tale of diversity, triumph, and revenge. The endless accounts of struggle and adventure laced within this novel serve as fuel for the complex situations in which the characters find themselves. These situations alone are more than enough to ensure a constant interest; however, it is Dumas’s use of literary elements and devices that truly bring this compelling tale to life. The narration style of this novel is third person omniscient. The narrator of the story is an anonymous
Dumas is not original in creating a theme for this novel based around the desire to have control. The conflict of the novel begins with the need of a few men to dictate the circumstance of a man whose fortunate live they deem to be better than their own. The Count is first accused of treason so that others can claim things such as his fiancé and job position. He is then sent to prison so that a man can prevent his own father’s imprisonment. Lastly, he takes revenge on all of those who ruined him so that he can be sure these people receive the hardships that he deems fit in comparison to his own. When faced with uncontrollably difficult situations, it is human nature to make up for the control that is lacked in any way possible. Unfortunately, this novel is a prime example of the true lack of divine control that people possess. The situations that the antagonists tried to control so aggressively that their lives are significantly worse than they were before they meddled with the order of things. The Count realizes that even his attempts at control result in unpredictable and unwarranted misfortune for those that it was not intended. “He [Monte Cristo] realized that he had gone beyond the limits of rightful vengeance and that he could no longer say 'God is for and with me.” (536). The message behind this theme is that despite all efforts, divine control is best left to The Divine. The writing of Alexandre Dumas is truly complex. His avid use of specific detail allow the reader to become deeply invested in the story. The Count of Monte Cristo is a roller coaster of complications, adventure, and vengeance. While factors such as narration, setting, and themes play a huge rule in the greatness of this novel, there is a countless amount of literary devices and elements that