# The Beggar explained — The Count of Monte Cristo

> Chapter companion for The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

As the evening concludes at Monte Cristo's estate, the guests depart in various carriages. Danglars, impressed by Major Cavalcanti and his supposed son Andrea, offers them a ride, while Andrea is confronted by the beggar Caderousse, who recognizes him as Benedetto. Caderousse blackmails Andrea for money, and they strike a deal for monthly payments. Andrea, frustrated but cautious, agrees to pay Caderousse to keep his past hidden.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Mobility

Andrea Cavalcanti's rise from poverty to a wealthy heir, facilitated by Monte Cristo, highlights the artificial nature of social status and the ease with which identity can be fabricated.

### Betrayal and Deception

Caderousse's blackmail of Andrea and the false identities of the Cavalcantis illustrate the pervasive deceit among the characters.

### Wealth and Corruption

Danglars' admiration for the Cavalcantis' supposed wealth and Andrea's payment to silence Caderousse show how money corrupts and enables exploitation.

## Character check-ins

### Andrea Cavalcanti

Revealed to be Benedetto, he is confronted by Caderousse and forced into a blackmail arrangement.

### Gaspard Caderousse

Disguised as a beggar, he recognizes Andrea and extorts money from him, threatening to expose his past.

### Baron Danglars

Fascinated by Major Cavalcanti and his son, he offers them a ride and plans to meet them on business.

### Major Bartolomeo Cavalcanti

Impressing Danglars with his demeanor and wealth, he is taken into Danglars' carriage.

### Count of Monte Cristo

Observes the interactions between Villefort and Madame Danglars, and orchestrates the evening's events.

### Madame Danglars

Uneasy during the evening, she returns to Paris in Villefort's carriage.

### Gérard de Villefort

Signals the departure and offers Madame Danglars a seat in his landau, showing concern for his wife.

## Key lines

> “How have I deceived you?” “ ‘How,’ do you ask? When we parted at the Pont du Var, you told me you were going to travel through Piedmont and Tuscany; but instead of that, you come to Paris.”

Andrea denies deceiving Caderousse, but Caderousse points out that Andrea lied about his travel plans.

_Caderousse confronts Andrea about his broken promise to stay away from Paris._

> “I think that with a hundred francs a month⁠—” “Well?” “I could live⁠—” “Upon a hundred francs!” “Come⁠—you understand me; but that with⁠—” “With?” “With a hundred and fifty francs I should be quite happy.” “Here are two hundred,” said Andrea; and he placed ten gold louis in the hand of Caderousse.

Caderousse demands a monthly allowance, and Andrea gives him 200 francs upfront to secure his silence.

_Andrea pays Caderousse to prevent him from revealing his true identity._

> “What? a real father?” “Yes, so long as he pays me⁠—” “You’ll honor and believe him⁠—that’s right. What is his name?” “Major Cavalcanti.”

Caderousse is surprised to learn that Andrea has found a father, and Andrea admits he only respects him as long as he receives money.

_Andrea reveals the transactional nature of his relationship with Major Cavalcanti._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters/lxiv-the-beggar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters