The Count of Monte Cristo

1
The Count of Monte Cristo

• The Novel and its Historical Influences

2
Historical Context

• French Revolution 1789
• Result of such acts as
• France becoming a republic (1792)
• King Louis XVI beheaded (1793)
• Napoleon Bonaparte rises to power
• Seizes control of France in 1799
• Declares himself emperor in 1804
• Lives in exile on Elba (1814)
• Escapes exile in 1815, war breaks out, is
  defeated, exiled to St. Helena
• Napoleon dies six years later
• Any supporters, or Bonapartists, were now
  considered traitors.

3
Napoleon Bonaparte
4
How History Impacts the Novel

• Alexandre Dumas, author, felt affects of
  Napoleons reign.
• His father was a General in Napoleons army, fell
  out of favor, was poisoned, imprisoned, and died
  young leaving the Dumas family in poverty.
• Heard stories of fathers wild adventures and
  triumphs spawning imagination and love for
  adventure and heroes.

5
Other Personal Facts of Dumas

• Had a variety of jobs associated with plays and
  politics
• Had numerous affairs and 2 illegitimate children
• Lived extravagant lifestyle (but was always in
  financial trouble)
• Built a house, Monte Cristo, which left him
  penniless

6
The novel itself

• Written in 1844, published in 18 fragments from
  1844-1846.
• Written in serial form with cliff-hanger endings
• Written during the Age of Romanticism
• People rejected science and reason
• Focused more on nature, emotion, individual
  experience (ideas considered rebellious)

7
Historys Impact on the Novel

• Considered historical fiction
• Uses historical facts as a canvas on which to
  place fictional characters and plot
• Dumas goal was to teach French people their
  historical heritage
• Novel discusses European societal customs as they
  were during that time and earlier
• Novel begins in 1815
• Effects of Napoleons reign play a role in the
  plot