# XIX: The Third Attack explained — The Count of Monte Cristo

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

## What happens

Abbé Faria suffers a third and fatal attack of catalepsy. Before dying, he makes Dantès memorize the location of the treasure on Monte Cristo and destroys the written record. Dantès administers the restorative liquid but Faria dies. Dantès then overhears the jailers' coarse remarks about the death.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Providence

Faria's death is seen by Dantès as a cruel twist of fate, yet Faria himself interprets it as Providence finally acting to free Dantès from the burden of a half-dead companion.

### Love and Loss

Dantès' deep affection for Faria is evident in his grief and his declaration that Faria's teachings are his true treasure, not the gold.

### Wealth and Corruption

The treasure of Monte Cristo is discussed as a means to do good for friends or ill for enemies, highlighting the dual potential of immense wealth.

## Character check-ins

### Edmond Dantès

Dantès cares for Faria during his final attack, administers the restorative, and grieves his friend's death. He reflects on the treasure and his oath of vengeance.

### Abbé Faria

Faria suffers a third catalepsy attack, gives final instructions about the Monte Cristo treasure, and dies. His body is taken away by the jailers.

## Key lines

> But my real treasure is not that, my dear friend, which awaits me beneath the sombre rocks of Monte Cristo, it is your presence, our living together five or six hours a day, in spite of our jailers; it is the rays of intelligence you have elicited from my brain, the languages you have implanted in my memory, and which have taken root there with all their philological ramifications.

Dantès tells Faria that the true treasure is not the gold on Monte Cristo, but the knowledge, companionship, and intellectual growth Faria has given him.

_Dantès prioritizes Faria's friendship and teachings over the material fortune._

> Monte Cristo, forget not Monte Cristo!

Faria's dying words urge Dantès to remember the treasure on the island of Monte Cristo.

_This is Faria's final instruction, emphasizing the importance of the hidden fortune._

> Well, well, the madman has gone to look after his treasure. Good journey to him!

A jailer mockingly says that the mad prisoner has died and gone to find his imaginary treasure.

_The jailers' callous humor contrasts with Dantès' grief and the true significance of Faria's secret._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters/xix-the-third-attack
- 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