“The Count of Monte Cristo”: Revenge, Redemption and Freedom

There is wisdom beyond religious text stored in literary masterpieces penned by writers who experienced the perils and triumphs of life.

I attain my moments of wisdom through the dream land, and last night I dreamt that while in class, a teacher gifted me a novel, "The Count of Monte Cristo." (I want to keep the majority of my dream private.) 

I was pulled out of my sleep, and I quickly researched the novel's thematic elements with the scenes of my dream fresh in my mind. I've never read this book before.

A quick Google search reveals that the novel embarks on an adventure of vengeance, forgiveness and love. The author, Alexandre Dumas, crafted the protagonist, Edmond Dantes, to experience the unimaginable: betrayal by the hands of four envious men. Each man envied him for one reason or another, one for his engagement, one for his career and the respect, and the others I'm unaware of because I have yet to read the book. It's at the very top of my list now.

While imprisoned, he is taught new subjects by a man who reveals to him of a treasure buried on the island of Monte Cristo. And with that (and a lot of plot-skipping), he sets to seek vengeance against his betrayers.

I encourage you all to read the novel, as I surely will, the Count of Monte Cristo exacts his revenge and exposes his betrayers but only realizes that vengeance is not self-fulfilling. Instead he finds peace in his new loving relationships through changed circumstances. 

How the Count of Monte Cristo Learns to Forgive | Hapax Blogomena (wordpress.com)

Love, Devotion, and Redemption Theme in The Count of Monte Cristo | LitCharts

Betrayal happens to us all, and learning how to cope through a sense of injustice is one of the most challenging plights of life. We face it in our friendships, marriages, relationships, and even our connection with those in authority figures, such as our govenrments, political leaders, and the like. 

We are forced to navigate the emotional waters of forgiveness on our own at times, and to gain an individualized understanding of this canon event. The experience is universal. If there's one thing I learned is understanding that some things are out of our control and divine justice will always prevail. Those who build their foundation on deceit, manipulation, betrayal ultimately discover that it will not endure. 

"Hatred is blind; rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught.” 

To those betrayed, life pushes them onto a new path and replaces decay with growth. Redemption comes through fostering new love and opportunity in life, the real key to freedom. There is an element of faith one must have to trust that vengeance is not an attribute that any mortal man should acquire. 

I experienced betrayals throughout my life, but as of late, I see everywhere. I listen to strangers' harrowing stories of injustices and inequalities on social media. I witness governments commit these acts on its people. And I grapple with my experiences and moving towards the light day-by-day, with complete reassurance that all is well and will be well. I'm grateful for the newfound fortitude in myself. 

"Until the day when God shall deign to reveal the future to man, the sum of all human wisdom will be contained in these two words: Wait and hope."