Why Rizal Favored The Count of Monte Cristo

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you”

            The Count of Monte Cristo is a novel written by Alexandre Dumas and adapted in film of the same name, directed by Kevin Reynolds and starred by stars Richard Harris as Abbe Faria, James Caviezel as Edmond Dantes, Dagmara Dominczyk as Mercedes Iguanada, Guy Pearce as Fernand Mondego, and Luis Guzman as Jacopo. I first read the novel and when I realized, a slow reader as I am, I wouldn’t be able to finish the book. I watched the movie instead. Many aspects have been changed, simplified, or removed. Edmond became second mate; the movie started with Edmond and Fernand as friends; and a lot of other things.

            The Pharaon was on journey when Captain Reynaud fell ill. Edmond Dantes, a young sailor, together with the ship crew and Fernand Mondego, sailed to the near island of Elba, where French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled. Bonaparte aided the captain but asked Dantes to deliver a letter to Monsieur Clarion, in exchange. Unfortunately, the captain died so the crew sailed back to Marseilles.

            On their arrival in Marseilles, Dantes was appointed Captain of the Pharaon by Monsieur Morrel, the shipowner. He ran to the arms of Mercedes with glee. The turn of events did not make Mondego and Danglars happy. Mondego mentioned the letter event to Danglars, the jealous first mate. While dining with his father and his fiancee, Dantes was arrested by the police commissary. Villefort, whose father is the man Dantes was to deliver the letter to and also the deputy chief prosecutor, sentenced Dantes to Chateu d’If.

            In Chateu d’If, he tried to argue his innocence with the Prison Head, Dorleac, yet he was pushed to his chamber. When all hopes were gone, an old man sprouted from the floor. Abbe Faria, an 11-year prisoner, gave him hope. The old man was digging tunnels for escape. Dantes joined the digging, and also learned education and sword mastery from Abbe Faria. When the old man was dying, he received the map to Spada’s treasure then switched bodies with the dead so he could be thrown out in the ocean and escape.

            In a neighboring island, he met a group of thieves where he made his way in and made a loyal friend, Jacopo. Three months later, Dantes, also known as Zatarra, with Jacopo returned to Marseilles. He learned about Danglar’s wealth, his father’s hanging, Mercedes and Fernand’s wedding and Villefort’s promotion during the 16 years he was gone. He and Jacopo sailed on a boat to Monte Cristo.

            Dantes and Jacopo found the treasures of Spada in the island of Monte Cristo. They took all they could carry to Paris. He bought a palace so he could play as the count of Monte Cristo. He established himself in Paris and started his vengeful plans. He made sure Fernand’s business to go down. He staged a kidnap of Fernand’s son, Albert, so he could appear a hero and get close to the Mondego’s. Mercedes noticed the resemblance of the Count and Edmond Dantes.

            Using the remaining treasures of Spada, they lured the greedy Danglars into committing a crime of thievery and was captured by the authority.  He confronted Villefort in a sauna bath and cornered him into confessing that he was the mind behind the murder of Fernand’s father. Villefort was arrested. When he reached home, Dantes was yet again faced by Mercedes. The lady showed him the thread ring that proved her still loyal and unending love for the vengeful man.

            The last man left, Fernand was bankrupt and was facing charges. When he ordered Mercedes to escape with him, she told him that she and her son would be leaving but not with him. Albert was revealed to be the son of Dantes and was the reason Mercedes rushed the wedding.

            Fernand headed to the treasure chests they stole from Dantes’s cargo; He found no treasure but only a King chess piece. Dantes appeared and exposed his identity . They raised sword at each other. Fernand was outskilled but only rescued by Albert. Mercedes, along with Jacopo, came and told Albert the truth giving Fernand the time to reload his gun. He shot Mercedes but fortunately the hit was not fatal thanks to Jacopo hitting the gun with his knife. Dantes ended the life of his old friend with another brawl.

            Edmond Dantes, Mercedes, Albert and Jacopo came to Chateau d’If, implying a happy ending.

            This novel was among Jose Rizal’s favorites.  An underdog taken advantage of his innocence, stripped from his rights, made to suffer, rebuilt him, avenged against his persecutors, renewed his life, walked the path of good. Philippines and her men, suffering as Edmond Dantes, needed a source of hope and this is exactly what the novel gives. Rizal may be intelligent but his pure patriotism made him a target of the Spaniards. He was exiled and imprisoned twice yet all he wanted was good treatment from the colonial government. He did not kill nor lead a revolution. But, apart from the certain similarities, it is noticeable that his main character in El Filibusterismo Crisostomo Ibarra and Edmond Dantes had the most commonality. Each found an amount of treasures, which were used as instruments in exacting revenge. Crisostomo Ibarra returns as Simoun, a rich jeweller, to avenge the betrayal he experienced and to recover his fiancee, Maria Clara. One common tale of adventure, love, loss, revenge and retribution. Dumas’s novel called to Rizal.

            “Life is a storm, my fellow Filipinos. The Philippines will bask in the oriental sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a Filipino is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Mactan. Do your worst Filipinos, for I will do mine! Then the Spain will recognize you as we recognize you.”