The Perfect Setting
The setting of The Count of Monte Cristo is during the Napoleonic era in France. The setting is important to the plot because the protagonist, Edmond Dantes is arrested under the pretenses that he is a traitor and sympathizer of Napoleon. The story could take place elsewhere but a few requirements need to be met so the plot does not change too dramatically.
First of all, it needs a post-revolution government that fears being toppled. Essentially, a political situation where the government is unstable because there is a potential usurper who has allies as well as enemies. This is required because Edmond Dantes would not have been charged for being a traitor to the crown if there was not a very real possibility of such a thing.
The prison to which Dantes was sent was the Chateau D’If.The fact that it was such a notorious prison adds to Dantes’ misery. “The unexpected appearance of this dreaded prison, with its centuries-old tradition of terror, produced the same effect on Dantes as the sight of gallows on a man condemned to death.” (page 32)
Being set elsewhere would not necessarily change the plot but it would change the atmosphere and feel of the novel. Paris adds a quality of vibrant life that I feel would be diminished if it was set elsewhere.
The Chateau D'If
A Change of Character
The reader follows the descent of Dantes from a well-liked, fortunate, humble young man to one who, driven by revenge, has developed a superiority complex to the point where he believes he is second only to God. Dantes starts out with everything seeming to be going his way. However, there is foreshadowing in Dantes sentiment that "I don't think man was meant to attain happiness so easily. Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons: we must fight in order to conquer it" (page18) When Dantes happy life does change and he is arrested, he says to Villefort, “ I'm not important enough to have made any enemies.” Villefort notices that “the young man was so candid and open, so full of affection for his fellow man.”(page26)
It is also apparent, that despite his good nature, there is potential if provoked, for anger. "The way the young man's eyes flashed as he spoke” his words revealed to Villefort “all the violent energy that was hidden under the gentleness which had impressed him so deeply at first"(page 26)
During his time in prison"his soul became dark"and"his despondency gave way to wrath."(page 41) When Faria helped Dante to understand who was behind his imprisonment the Abbe regretted enlightening him. "I've stilled in your heart a feeling that wasn't there before: vengeance"(page 58) By Dumas showing Dantes change from a good-natured person to one who is obsessed by the need for vengeance, he reveals what hate can do to the human heart and mind.
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