1. The Count of Monte Cristo
Background information

2. Literary Significance
This story has captured readers all over the world since it was published in 1844
Weekly installments in a French newspaper
Lines and crowds gathered to get each new issue
People who were illiterate gathered to hear it read aloud
Now translated into 26 languages and there are THOUSANDS of editions

3. Disguise and Justice
“Disguise and justice” novels have taken many forms since the 1800s
Superman
The Lone Ranger
Others?
Common Elements (must be presented effectively to become a classic)
Hero in disguise
Pursuit of justice
Revenge for a wrong
Use of secret signals
Daring escapes
Physical combat

4. A Novel for Daydreamers
Good adventure stories become like daydreams
Have you ever felt “unjustly imprisoned”?
Did you dream of a “daring escape”?
Where The Wild Things Are…
Have you ever dreamed of finding lost treasure?
Punishing enemies?
Acquiring great knowledge?

5. Defining Justice
Can a country guarantee justice for its citizens? America prides itself on a democratic form of justice where an unbiased group listens to both sides of the story and then makes a decision. Does this always work? Does true justice lie in the hands of the government? In the hands of the wronged? Is true justice possible? Is it ever a good idea to take justice into one’s own hands?

6. Literary Merit
At times critics have been quick to dismiss this novel as a frivolous adventure story
In reality, it has many literary merits. We will examine:
The depth of certain characters
The intricacies of plot development
Dumas’ use of literary techniques such as allusions, irony, symbolism, and figurative language

7. Romantic Novel
This book is a wonderful example of a Romantic novel. Such novels:
Are filled with high adventure
Have heroes with noble characteristics
Have heroes who are tested severely and survive superbly
Emphasize narrative plot development
Have a wide sweep across time and distance

8. Historical Novel
Actual historical events serve as a backdrop over which the story can develop
Dumas uses history to craft his romantic adventure
French Revolution
Napoleon Bonaparte’s imprisonment on the isle of Elba gets the action of the novel started

9. Dates To Know
1799 – Napoleon seized power in France in the aftermath of the French Revolution
1804 – Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France, warred against other European nations
1814 – A popular revolution against Napoleon led to his abdication to King Louis XVIII. Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba
1815 – Napoleon returned to France for 100 days, but was ultimately defeated at Waterloo