What does not kill us, makes us stronger.
This theme is often said in both modern and renaissance times. Many people believe that this theme is very true. It could mean that beating cancer has changed your life and made you stronger. It could mean that being able to deal with the pain and hate in life has in turn taught you a lesson and you're now strong and able to stand up for yourself.
Edmond suffers immensely during the book. His father dies, his love and life is taken away from him, and he spends fourteen years in prison wasting away for a crime he did not commit. At one point, Edmond tries to kill himself because he is in so much pain and anguish. The thought that he has no power over his enemies, eats Edmond away and he nearly has no strength to go on.
Finally, Edmond escapes and at multiple times in the book he thanks God for saving him in that prison. He wonders why God did this though and knows that he has a purpose and that being in prison has made him stronger. He taught himself in prison to control his emotions and thought of his cunning plans. This experience helped Dantés get back at the ones who wronged him. He knows he should have died in prison but says, "God brought me back from the living dead to punish them!" (Dumas page 377). We can tell that Edmond has changed by the way he describes himself after his imprisonment. He went from a happy sailor to an almost dead and suicidal prisoner and then he changed after that. He became a man haunted by the images of prison but determined and powerful with the lessons he learned. His near death experience drives him in the book to succeed in his quest for revenge. He vows to never go back to prison but understands that being sent to prison was important or he would have never opened his eyes to what really waits for him in the world.
He became no longer a weak, young sailor who was blind to evil. Edmond grew up in prison and became a strong man who was able to stick up for himself. This all goes to show that what does not kill us, makes us stronger in the process and sometimes, even a better person.
Edmond suffers immensely during the book. His father dies, his love and life is taken away from him, and he spends fourteen years in prison wasting away for a crime he did not commit. At one point, Edmond tries to kill himself because he is in so much pain and anguish. The thought that he has no power over his enemies, eats Edmond away and he nearly has no strength to go on.
Finally, Edmond escapes and at multiple times in the book he thanks God for saving him in that prison. He wonders why God did this though and knows that he has a purpose and that being in prison has made him stronger. He taught himself in prison to control his emotions and thought of his cunning plans. This experience helped Dantés get back at the ones who wronged him. He knows he should have died in prison but says, "God brought me back from the living dead to punish them!" (Dumas page 377). We can tell that Edmond has changed by the way he describes himself after his imprisonment. He went from a happy sailor to an almost dead and suicidal prisoner and then he changed after that. He became a man haunted by the images of prison but determined and powerful with the lessons he learned. His near death experience drives him in the book to succeed in his quest for revenge. He vows to never go back to prison but understands that being sent to prison was important or he would have never opened his eyes to what really waits for him in the world.
He became no longer a weak, young sailor who was blind to evil. Edmond grew up in prison and became a strong man who was able to stick up for himself. This all goes to show that what does not kill us, makes us stronger in the process and sometimes, even a better person.
It's often easy to overlook the consequences of your actions.
Edmond has trouble seeing what damage his actions will bring. At the first thoughts of revenge, the priest warns him, "I regret having helped you clarify your past and having told you what I did. I've instilled in your heart a feeling that wasn't there before: vengeance." (Dumas page 48) And the priest shakes his head sadly and wishes that Dantés will not have his revenge because he knows that Edmond himself will be hurt in the process.
Yet, Edmond does not listen to the priest's pleas and carries out his plan of vengeance anyway. Yes, it is true that the four men that Edmond ruined all deserved eternal punishment. Caderousse, Villefort, Danglars and Fernand all deserved the punishments they received but what about the people close to them? Albert lost trust in his father and his friend and left his mother alone. Danglars' daughter almost could not escape her father's rage and was nearly hurt in the process. Valentine and Max were almost separated for life because the Count of Monte Cristo gave Madame Villefort a poison. Villefort lost his son who had done nothing wrong. Here Edmond begins to feel remorse and says, "God grant that I haven't done too much already." (Dumas page 404). He realizes that people he never meant to harm are being injured because of his actions and thinks that God will punish him now. In his head, he thought that his plan would work perfectly and only the people who betrayed him would be hurt. In hindsight, many others are hurt as a consequence for Edmond's dangerous actions of vengeance.
Yet, Edmond does not listen to the priest's pleas and carries out his plan of vengeance anyway. Yes, it is true that the four men that Edmond ruined all deserved eternal punishment. Caderousse, Villefort, Danglars and Fernand all deserved the punishments they received but what about the people close to them? Albert lost trust in his father and his friend and left his mother alone. Danglars' daughter almost could not escape her father's rage and was nearly hurt in the process. Valentine and Max were almost separated for life because the Count of Monte Cristo gave Madame Villefort a poison. Villefort lost his son who had done nothing wrong. Here Edmond begins to feel remorse and says, "God grant that I haven't done too much already." (Dumas page 404). He realizes that people he never meant to harm are being injured because of his actions and thinks that God will punish him now. In his head, he thought that his plan would work perfectly and only the people who betrayed him would be hurt. In hindsight, many others are hurt as a consequence for Edmond's dangerous actions of vengeance.
Money can accomplish almost everything.
Contrary to what many people believe, money can accomplish almost everything. Edmond went from a poor sailor to a luxurious count. How could this happen? The Abbe Faria gave Edmond a treasure that allowed Edmond to get his revenge on the people who made him suffer. Without money, Edmond would have never been able to disguise himself as a count and get close to Villefort, Danglars, and Fernand. He would have never been able to pay Caderousse for information. All of Dantes' plots of revenge could not have been achieved without money. He uses money to put Danglars in debt, he uses money to gain the trust of both the Villeforts and Madame Danglars.
Edmond does not use this money to only accomplish bad things though. On the contrary, Edmond uses money to save Morrel from debt and committing suicide. He also helps Valentine and Max be together and saves Albert from being kidnapped. He frees Haydee from slavery and helps Mercedes not go bankrupt. All of these things would have been impossible is Edmond had remained a young sailor without money. When Edmond became rich, all of his plans could suddenly be accomplished. He was powerful and nothing was too far from his grasp. This book illustrates that money really can accomplish almost anything but it also shows that it can't necessarily buy you happiness or love.
Edmond does not use this money to only accomplish bad things though. On the contrary, Edmond uses money to save Morrel from debt and committing suicide. He also helps Valentine and Max be together and saves Albert from being kidnapped. He frees Haydee from slavery and helps Mercedes not go bankrupt. All of these things would have been impossible is Edmond had remained a young sailor without money. When Edmond became rich, all of his plans could suddenly be accomplished. He was powerful and nothing was too far from his grasp. This book illustrates that money really can accomplish almost anything but it also shows that it can't necessarily buy you happiness or love.