# The Room of the Retired Baker explained — The Count of Monte Cristo

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

## What happens

Andrea Cavalcanti proposes to Eugénie Danglars, and Danglars eagerly accepts the match upon learning of Andrea's supposed fortune. Meanwhile, Andrea visits Caderousse, who lives in poverty and resents his dependence on Andrea's monthly payments. Caderousse, having extracted details about the Count of Monte Cristo's house, schemes to exploit the situation, while Andrea grows wary of his former accomplice's intentions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Mobility

Andrea's rise from obscure origins to a prospective marriage with a banker's daughter illustrates the fluidity of social status through wealth and deception.

### Betrayal and Deception

Andrea's false identity and Caderousse's scheming to exploit Monte Cristo's wealth highlight the pervasive deceit among the characters.

### Wealth and Corruption

Danglars' eagerness to marry his daughter to Andrea based on fabricated riches shows how wealth corrupts moral judgment and family bonds.

## Character check-ins

### Andrea Cavalcanti

Proposes to Eugénie Danglars and negotiates financial terms with Danglars; later visits Caderousse, revealing his anxiety about his past and his dependency on Monte Cristo.

### Baron Danglars

Accepts Andrea's marriage proposal after learning of his supposed inheritance, contrasting his earlier rejection of Morcerf.

### Gaspard Caderousse

Lives as a 'retired baker' in poverty, resenting his reliance on Andrea's payments; extracts details about Monte Cristo's house and schemes to exploit the situation.

### Edmond Dantès

Referenced as the Count of Monte Cristo, whose house and wealth are described by Andrea to Caderousse; his role as Andrea's patron is discussed.

### Eugénie Danglars

Mentioned as the object of Andrea's marriage proposal, though she does not appear directly in the chapter.

### Madame Danglars

Mentioned as part of the family whose approval is needed for the marriage.

## Key lines

> He leaves me five hundred thousand livres.

He bequeaths me five hundred thousand livres.

_Andrea falsely claims Monte Cristo's will leaves him a large inheritance to impress Caderousse._

> I never give more than four percent, and generally only three and a half; but to my son-in-law I would give five, and we would share the profits.

I usually offer no more than four percent interest, often three and a half, but for my son-in-law I would raise it to five, and we would split the earnings.

_Danglars negotiates financial terms with Andrea, revealing his mercenary approach to the marriage._

> I would realize six months’ in advance, under pretence of being able to purchase a farm, then with my six months I would decamp.

I would ask for six months' payment upfront, pretending to buy a farm, and then flee with the money.

_Caderousse advises Andrea to cheat Monte Cristo by taking advance money and disappearing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters/lxxxi-the-room-of-the-retired-baker
- 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