Student Question
Which characters in The Count of Monte Cristo symbolize jealousy and how do life's circumstances affect them?
Quick answer:
In The Count of Monte Cristo, Baron Danglars symbolizes jealousy. His envy of Edmond Dantès' success and popularity leads him to falsely accuse Dantès of being a Bonapartist conspirator, resulting in Dantès' imprisonment. Danglars' jealousy also extends to the aristocracy, driving him to deceitfully climb the social ladder by becoming a banker and marrying an aristocratic woman he does not love.
The most obvious choice here is Baron Danglers. He is the man who was responsible for the arrest of Dantes. Having been jealous of Dantes success and likability, Danglers writes a note that accuses Dantes of being a Bonapartist conspirator and causes Dantes be imprisoned. Danglers is also jealous of all aristocrats, wanting so much to be a part of that higher class. He lies and steals to become a banker and marries an aristrocratic woman he does not love.
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