Synopsis: The count leaves Mercedes and retraces his steps to his old cell at the Château d’If. Inside the guide tells him his own story and gives him the Abbe’s old manuscript that was found in the cell. After this visit, he goes to see Max at his father’s grave and reminds Max to meet on the island of Monte Cristo on September 5th. He then leaves to finish up some business in Italy.

Discussion Questions:

1. What did you think of the Count’s trip back to his prison cell? Did you think this was needed? I get that this was kind of closure/full circle for Dantes and for us as readers and it did seem nice, but it seemed a little out of place for me. I think I would have liked this if maybe it came at another point in the book, either at the very end once more loose ends have been tied up, or somewhere in the middle before he gets to Paris. Did it seem out of place for you as well?

2. Did you think the count being able to essentially purchase Abbe Faria’s manuscript from the concierge as being - again - just a bit too deus-ex-machina, or did you like this touch? What do you think the Count will do with this manuscript now that he has it?

3. If you were Dantes, would you have wanted to go back to see the place where you were imprisoned for 14 years? If you were in Dantes’ shoes, would you have told the concierge who you really were?

4. The Count accuses Mercédès of infidelity a couple of times. Do you think that he really feels this way? Or is he trying to justify the condition she was left in so he can then go and be with Haydee? Could he be feeling regret over all of his actions in Paris and this whole trip to Marseilles was really one big effort to try to help himself justify his actions?

5. Should the Count have clued Max in about Valentine by now? How long has it been anyway? Is Valentine still under the influence of whatever he gave her, or does he have her stashed away somewhere? Why doesn’t he just let him know? Is this, like, super manipulative?

6. Any other thoughts while reading this chapter? I thought it was interesting and a bit ironic that the Count told Morrell that people are all really good at saying that “every man thinks himself unhappier than another unfortunate weeping and moaning beside him,” and then he proceeds to tell him how much more unfortunate he thought his life’s story was than Morrell’s in the very next breath!

Last Line: “Shortly afterward the boat set out, and an hour later, as Monte Christo had said, the same trail of smoke was barely visible streaking an eastern horizon darkened by the first shades of night.”

Previous Chapter: https://www.reddit.com/r/AReadingOfMonteCristo/comments/r8kaz7/chapter\_112cxii\_the\_departure\_reading\_discussion/

The next posting will go up on Saturday the 11th!