Victorians! discussion

For discussin chapters 56-65 in The Count of Monte Cristo. If you have not completed these chapters be aware spoilers may be posted here.

One of the things which I began to wonder about within these chapters is what is it that differentiates Eugene from Valentine? Both in the eyes of Dumas it seems, as well as in the eyes of Dantes.

It seems to me that this is an inconsistency in The Count's revenge and his belief that he is serving as an angel from God. Thus far it seems he has sought to persecute the guilty while at the same time proving to be a protector of the innocent.

Dumas portrays Valentine in a highly sympathetic light showing her truly as a poor innocent victim left in the indifferent hands of her father and tyrant hands of her step-mother, and she is painted in the light of the Victorian ideal of a woman. A sort of martyr figure who give her loyalty to her undeserving father and is willing to sacrifice herself in the name of being properly obedient.

While Eugene who is portrayed as being "masculine" is painted in a very unsympathetic light, and is tailored to make it difficult for the readers to feel sorry her because of her haughtiness and seeming snobbery, and coldness.

Yet Eugene is just as innocent as Valentine is of the crimes of her family. So why is Eugene portrayed as being some how more deserving of punishment? Though the Count seems indifferent to Valentine and does not appear to do anything to assist her, nor does he seem to be acting against her, and she seems favored by fate being saved from the unwanted marriage and having her grandfather to look after her and be her guardian.

While on the other hand the Count lays plans to have Eugene married off to a cruel, brutal bandit whom is only after her family's wealth. .

The way this section has developed seems to unravel some of the puzzles, and prepare for more. All seems to be pointed towards the revenge. Even seemingly insiginificant details are part of the plot, as though everything is under the control of the puppet master, Dantes.
Im even wondering if the answer to the question you pose there is part of the revenge - are there connections, misdeeds we have not even learned of yet. I'm becoming more enthralled as it goes on, even if we do seem to be the 'last people standing'

I can't help thinking of the chess game that appeared in an earlier chapter. Life has taken on the quality of the game in this novel, never being secure in the moves and as Stephen said wondering who would eventually be checkmated.

Dantes continues to manipulate all the players.

Stephen wrote: "The way this section has developed seems to unravel some of the puzzles, and prepare for more. All seems to be pointed towards the revenge. Even seemingly insiginificant details are part of the plo..."

I have to say though at first I started out not really caring for Eugene, the more it seems she has been unfairly treated by Dantes/Dumas the more I could not help but to begin to be sympathetic for her and well however unpleasant she might be perceived to be I do not think she deserves Andrea.

Another thing which I find interesting in these chapters is we are starting to see Caderhousse developing into a more actively villainous character than previously seen. A new side of him is no revealed. Previously he has appeared as a cowardly figure victim to his own greed, but never actively getting his hands dirty simply taking a backseat. He was repulsed by the criminal actions of others and yet never attempted to prevent it. But now he is starting take a more active hand in crime.