Hunchback of Notre Dame: Literary Aspect

Ironically, the theme of love is present in the supposed dark tale of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Quasimodo was destined to social rejection and a life of isolation. One would think that this would cause the poor soul to be full of hatred. Maybe he is, however, he does have room in his heart for one person. That person is Claude Frollo. Claude Frollo is a man of intelligence and also compassion. He had "taken him [Quasimodo] in, adopted him, nourished him and raised him" (Hugo 65). Because of this, Quasimodo loves Claude Frollo, and he feels a "connection" to him because of his kindness. Quasimodo loves him as "no dog, horse or elephant ever loved its master" (66).

The Count of Monte Cristo Quizzes

Additional Audio Study Guide Questions for Extra Credit

Please click here to see my audio response from Aviary.com!

Dumas, Alexandre. Count of Monte Cristo. New York: New American Library, 2005. Print.

Count of Monte Cristo: Audio Study Guide

Please click here for my audio response on Aviary.com!


Dumas, Alexandre. Count of Monte Cristo. New York: New American Library, 2005. Print.

Count of Monte Cristo: Literary Aspect

Death is a reoccurring theme in The Count of Monte Cristo. It is not the most pleasant of themes, but it does make it a great story because death is apart of life. There is the death of the former Edmond Dantes because of imprisonment, death through natural causes, and the thought of death through committing suicide.

The first death in the book is of Dantes' first life. He was a kind-hearted young man of 19 who had a loving father and a beautiful bride-to-be. That wonderful life ended, however, when he was imprisoned by Villefort on his betrothal day. Being imprisoned for 14 years left Edmond Dantes dead and hopeless to ever return again. It is also an example of death to the innocent and birth to the vengeful.

In chapter 15, there is the first mention of death from natural causes. Faria, the abbe, dies because of another fit of epilepsy. Even though it is natural and unavoidable, it is still a heart-wrenching death that contributes to Dantes bitterness.

During his bitter imprisonment, Dantes entertains the thought of suicide many times. He always asked himself what the point of living is (be consistent with your tenses). What is the point of living if one is locked up and not able to be with the love of your life? Another example is Old Dantes. In chapter 21, it is revealed the Old Dantes did not die of old age or of other natural causes. Cauderrouse believes that he died from self-starvation.

Count of Monte Cristo: Additional Study Guide Questions for Extra Credit

Chapter 6

Q: Villefort loves his fiance, but not passionately. What advice would you give to him?

A: I think that he must love her for real because most guys need the passion and the feeling. Feelings only go so far though. To love the person despite that is something special. I would tell him to just keep on going with it. Maybe the passion can be learned.

Chapter 13

Q: Why is it that now Dantes is not satisfied with freedom alone and desires riches (Dumas 109)?

A: Along with his freedom, he knew that he was going to get an exponential amount of riches. His freedom was only half of the prize packet. As humans, we are dearly selfish and desire more. If we can get more, why settle for less?

Chapter 14

Q: Describe the love between the two men.

A: It's the most sweetest kind of love I have ever heard of. It is the love that a father has for his son and the love that the son has for his father. It's one of those strong unbreakable bonds that will last a lifetime. It is unconditional and selfless. I almost wanted to cry when Faria admitted that he loved Dantes as if he were his own son. It is truly amazing how God aligns particularly unfortunate events in order receive a priceless friendship.

Chapter 19

Q: Why was it a "...delicious yet terrible..." nights (Dumas 117)?

A: He has his treasure. He finally had it. But what good is the treasure if you can't do anything with it. He was probably satisfied, but the anxiety of finally being able to use the treasure must have killed him a little.

Chapter 27

Q: Would you like a friendship where you are told "...though I appreciate your friendship, I fear my reputation would suffer if they knew we were on such friendly footing" (Dumas 163)?

A: Honestly, I would want to be the person who tells their friend that my reputation was on the line rather than be the person who is told that. Of course, it is definitely a pride thing. In any relationship, I would like to have the upper hand just so I don't feel like I have to owe anything to anyone.

Dumas, Alexandre. Count of Monte Cristo. New York: New American Library, 2005. Print.

Count of Monte Cristo: Study Guide Questions