SleptLikeANaturalLog t1_itlsmq1 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 4:18 PM

Reply to comment by Jaedos in Just finished The Count of Monte Cristo by ComicsNBigBooks

I agree that it broke my heart how Mercedes’ life fell apart far worse than she deserved. While she herself felt guilt for abandoning Dantes, I think the main betrayal Dantes felt by Mercedes was how she allowed his father to continue living in squalor and depression only to die pathetically and alone.

Jaedos t1_itotdl3 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 5:30 AM

I forgot about that part. Didn't Fernand have a hand in ensuring that though and probably actively prevented Mercedes from helping the father?

ZeMastor t1_itp1i7y wrote on October 25, 2022 at 7:17 AM

No. That wasn't Fernand's fault at all. Old Dantes was a proud man, and didn't want to accept help from anyone. Mercedes even wanted him to live with her so she could take care of him, but the old man refused. He became a hermit and stopped eating. Mercedes recruited the senior Morrel to help, but old Dantes insisted on isolating himself until he died of starvation.

Old Dantes had an inkling that he'd never see Edmond again, and willed himself to death.

SleptLikeANaturalLog t1_itouqok wrote on October 25, 2022 at 5:47 AM

I’ve forgotten whether that was stated, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me.