Romanticism
“The Count of Monte Cristo” is a romantic novel written by Alexandre Dumas and was published between the years 1844 and 1846. In the book, Dumas attempts to portray how the mission for revenge took over the life of Edmond Dantès. The main character, Edmond, finds himself in an unfortunate situation of arrest and subsequent imprisonment after being accused of committing treason. He later finds a helpful friend in prison with whom they successfully perform a prison break. As a free person, he now engages in a mission to find and kill three individuals who conspired to have him arrested and jailed. The term romanticism embodies how a writer his life emotions. The term, furthermore, depicts women idealization, spirituality, and isolation in a work of literature.
Edmond got engaged to Mercédès, but he was later disappointed when he learnt that Loupian had married her. The unfortunate event explains how the emotions of love can devastating. Due to anger, he resorts to committing revenge against the individual that married his fiancée.
Edmond’s emotions are depicted by the use of religious and Biblical symbols. “Monte Cristo” can be translated as “Mountain of Christ.” In one of the scenes, Edmond jumps into an ocean to save his life. The act of jumping into the ocean is a Biblical allusion to Baptism. The main character gains freedom after jumping into the sea.
While in prison, Edmond undergoes a lonely life that he feels has brought a setback to him. The gloomy prison life plays a role in fueling the anger he feels for the individuals that framed him. In prison, he harbours much hatred for his enemies, thereby prompting him to plan for their murder.
Conclusion
Alexandra Dumas, in the novel, portrays Edmond as a hardworking individual who can come from a low-class position to a respected and wealthy status. In his life, Edmond encounters several challenges that adversely affect his life. The author can portray some of the elements of romanticism: the idealization of women, spirituality, and melancholy.