I borrowed the discussion questions from here and here.
1. Edmond Dantès assumes a number of aliases during the course of the novel, and many other characters have a variety of different names as well. What do you consider to be the significance of names in The Count of Monte Cristo? What do you think is the significance of each of Edmond Dantès's assumed names?
2. What is the effect of Haydée's love for Monte Cristo?
3. Dumas often writes of Edmond Dantès's time in prison as if it were a death. What do you think is the significance of this choice of language?
4. The central issue in The Count of Monte Cristo is the question of revenge. In the case of this book, is Dantes' quest for vengeance morally just? Can vengeance ever stand in for justice?
5. Discuss Villefort's decision to imprison Dantes. He believes Dantes has been unfairly accused, but at the same time he fears for his own father's life.
6. Talk about the role that the Abbe Faria plays in Dante's development. Why does Dantes consider him a second father?
7. Why does Dantes treat Caderrouse more lightly than he does Danglars and Mondego?
8. What truths do Julie and Emmanuel reveal to Dantes? What does he learn from them?
9. As he takes his leave from Maximillian, Dantes claims that "there is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more.” What does that statement mean—in the context of the story and in real life—and how does it reverberate throughout the novel?
10. Talk about Dantes' profound alienation when he escapes from prison and his gradual movement back into reconciliation with humanity. How does that development take place: what and the plot benchmarks who are characters who help him regain his humanity.
3. Dumas often writes of Edmond Dantès's time in prison as if it were a death. What do you think is the significance of this choice of language?
4. The central issue in The Count of Monte Cristo is the question of revenge. In the case of this book, is Dantes' quest for vengeance morally just? Can vengeance ever stand in for justice?
5. Discuss Villefort's decision to imprison Dantes. He believes Dantes has been unfairly accused, but at the same time he fears for his own father's life.
6. Talk about the role that the Abbe Faria plays in Dante's development. Why does Dantes consider him a second father?
7. Why does Dantes treat Caderrouse more lightly than he does Danglars and Mondego?
8. What truths do Julie and Emmanuel reveal to Dantes? What does he learn from them?
9. As he takes his leave from Maximillian, Dantes claims that "there is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more.” What does that statement mean—in the context of the story and in real life—and how does it reverberate throughout the novel?
10. Talk about Dantes' profound alienation when he escapes from prison and his gradual movement back into reconciliation with humanity. How does that development take place: what and the plot benchmarks who are characters who help him regain his humanity.
