Expert on literature?

Question

Could you dsecribe how Alexandre Dumas' novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, is related to justice; whether it be in philosophy, theology, or society? What are some different interpretations of the word “justice”?

I'd love to read your input. Thank you!

Answer 1

The Sparknotes notes on it (not the summary, the part at the bottom) are helpful, but here's what I think. The big paragraph is not report quality on purpose. It's a discouragement to those who like copying and pasting, whether or not that includes you.

"Justice" can mean fair punishment for wrongdoing, but it can also mean revenge.

The Count of Monte Cristo plays God. He judges the sins of men who did him wrong, and assigns them appropriate punishments as he believes are correct, because society lets them get away with it. Society was on the side of these men, despite their crimes against him. In the book, the line between revenge for crimes the law left unpunished and justice that slipped through the law because of human error, is very blurred. Philosophy-wise, was he right in what he did, or did the punishments go too far? They did imprison him, but after all, he survives and becomes wealthy and happy, as far as he can be. Theology-wise, he adminsters justice almost as God would do so, becoming the omnipotent judge, jury, and executioner with his vast wealth, cleverness, skill at disguises, and connections. Then he begins to have his doubts, and repents.