After meeting Sinbad the Sailor on the isle of Monte
Cristo and spending a drug-induced night, the Baron Franz d'Epinay arrives in Rome
at Carnival time in order to join his friend, Viscount Albert de Morcerf for the
festivities. However, they have not planned and there are no coaches available. At the
opera, Franz notices Monte Cristo with a most beautiful woman. He recognizes Monte
Cristo as the mysterious sailon on the isle when he is introduced. Even after being
warned about the nortorious Luigi Vampa, Albert has determined to have several affairs
with women, but when he follows one seductive woman, he finds himself in a trap; he has
been kidnapped by Vampa. A ransom note is sent to Franz, who asks the Count of Monte
Cristo for help. When the naive Albert is rescued, he does not realize the danger in
which he was put, but he is, nevertheless, grateful to Monte Cristo for paying his
ransom. Monte Cristo loans his coach to the young men so that they can get around Rome
safely; in return, he asks to be introduced to Parisian society. When Albert shakes
hands with Monte Cristo, Franz notices the man shudder. Further in the narrative,
Albert keeps his promise and introduces Monte Cristo to his parents and some of the
members of society. While Ferdinand does not recognize Monte Cristo, Mercedes does, and
being terrified, she warns her son to stay away from him. Monte Cristo purchases the
fromer home of the Marquis de Saint-Meran, whose daughter married the Prosecutor Gerard
de Villefort, and died soon thereafter. At this house in Auteuil, his servant Bertuccio
relates his terrible memories. He tells Monte Cristo in a dramatic monologue about a
baby that de Villefort tried to bury; he saved the baby, naming it Benedetto. However,
this boy grew into an evil man who returned after leaving to kill Bertuccio's
wife.
Here are some questions that you can ask about these
chapters:
1. Explain the connection of Luigi Vampa to
Sinbad the Sailor/Count of Monte Cristo in the two instances in which they meet in these
chapters.
2. Countess G--- calls Monte Cristo a vampire
when she sees him at the opera. What habits does the Count possess that suggest this
nomenclature?
3. What observations about justice does Monte
Cristo make that offer insight into his mind as an
avenger?
4. Characterize Albert de Morcerf. Does he
display any noble qualities?
5. How does the use of
dialogue and monologue demonstrate Dumas's dramatic tendencies? What information is
learned through monologue/dialogue?
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