1) The plotting of Dantès’ ruin and the engagement dinner take place at the same inn, mere hours apart. Does this crowding of time and space create a claustrophobic feel?

2) Mercédès doesn’t “conceal her joy under a veil” as a “city girl” might; is her otherness a threat to her happiness?

3) Dantès says that joy can be as oppressive as sorrow, frets about happiness won too easily, and questions whether he’s done enough to deserve Mercédès’ love—are these just pre-wedding jitters or a more existential pessimism?

4) There are flashes of decency about Caderousse; can he overcome his fear and redeem himself?

Final sentence of chapter:

“Upon which, he leapt into a boat and gave the boatman the order to row him out to the Pharaon where the shipowner, as you will recall, had arranged to meet him.”

previous chapter discussion