The Count of Monte Cristo...

... is a really long book. So what I have to say to you is: Read, Forrest, read!

Seriously. If you haven't yet finished, do your best to get there. But even if you haven't finished, come to group tomorrow ready to chat. There are a lot of topics we can cover regardless of whether or not everyone (or anyone?) has finished. (And I, myself, am struggling to get there, just so you know.)

I'm going to post assignments, as usual, but the main priority is to read. If you haven't finished reading, let the assignments wait. We'll have plenty of time to think about them and discuss them tomorrow.

Potential Assignments

Let it Go?
Vengeance. Forgiveness. Vengeance. Forgiveness. Like a game of “she loves me, she loves me not,” Dumas alternates between these two themes throughout the book. In your opinion, where does he ultimately land? Support your claim with evidence from the book.

Tick Tock Goes the Clock
There are stories within stories within stories in this book, which makes the linear timeline somewhat difficult to follow. Choose a character other than Dantes and reconstruct his or her timeline from 1815 forward. 

Symbols, Motifs, and Themes
See a symbol? Notice a motif? Have an idea about a theme the author seems to be riffing on? Name it and explain it to the rest of us.

Isn't it Byronic?

There are so many references to Byron, particularly with the idea that Dantes—as Monte Cristo— possesses the traits of a Byronic hero. But what does that mean? Spell it out for us. With or without references to Alanis Morrisette. 

All right. That's it, folks. Happy reading, and I look forward to seeing you all in about 30 hours.