[Blogging 365] - The Count of Monte Cristo - 1st Entry

A tale of vengeance, decorum and questionable life choices set in 19th century France.

This topic is a joint project with Jökull Úlfurglottur.

(He who blissfully unaware, allied with an extreme deadline driven co-author).

Given the 464, 117 Chapter width of this story, each entry will likely include more than one chapter, summarized.

The Count of Monte Cristo is a work by French writer and playwright Alexandre Dumas. Revered as a literary classic, this book portrays the inner workings of an universal theme: Vengeance.

In this work, Dumas presents a tragic story of loss, sacrifice and betrayal; the game of court and nobility influence, clad in shadows of dark dealings and displayed in the gorgeous landscape of Europe after the fall of the Napoleonic empire.

Chapter 1

Arriving on the 24th of February, the voyage of the prestigious Phocean ship, the Pharaon, brings bittersweet news to Marseille. A missive, a last wish, a whole ship- entrusted by whim of fate to a young man- the voyager, Edmond Dantes.

This chapter introduces Edmond Dantes as a capable man driven by honor and duty. His future, bright after successfully carrying out the voyage after the captain’s unforeseen demise. Edmond returns home to a loving mistress- or in his words, his “betrothed”, a beautiful woman named Mercedes.

However careful and cautious man, Dantes’ success in life seeds jealousy. With his promotion pending and soon to be wed above his rank, Edmond’s imminent rise in society sets a target on his back.

And little he knows, for jealousy breeds into anger in his fellow countrymen. Even within his close friends.

Danglars, the ship’s quartermaster, despises Edmond’s luck and youth.

M. Morrel, his boss, resents his guts and charms- and his claim on Mercedes’ heart.

Both know at any rate, Dantes’ might very well rise above themselves.

Determined to undermine him while they stand superior, they set in alliance to deter his progress, at any cost.

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Seen in this chapter is the apparent origin of a disruption, one caused by jealousy.

Perhaps the origin of this jealousy resides not only in these men’s own hubris, but rather their instinct- the sheer fear of losing their years of work over a young prospect- in contrary to their claims, they harbor no intention of letting Dantes' succeed.

In this time period, court values status and power over everything else, and though not long for tyranny, traffic of influence is not above the law.