# The Story explained — The Count of Monte Cristo

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

## What happens

Caderousse recounts to the disguised Abbé Busoni the story of Mercédès's marriage to Fernand, the roles of Danglars and Fernand in denouncing Edmond Dantès, and the kindness of M. Morrel. The abbé gives Caderousse a diamond in exchange for the red silk purse left by Morrel, then departs, leaving Caderousse and La Carconte to ponder the gem's authenticity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Deception

Caderousse reveals how Danglars and Fernand conspired to denounce Edmond, and how he himself remained silent out of fear.

### Love and Loss

Mercédès's grief over Edmond's disappearance and her eventual marriage to Fernand highlight the theme of lost love.

### Forgiveness and Redemption

The abbé offers Caderousse a chance at redemption by giving him the diamond, while Caderousse expresses remorse for his cowardice.

## Character check-ins

### Gaspard Caderousse

Narrates the story of Edmond's betrayal and Mercédès's marriage; receives the diamond from the abbé.

### Abbé Busoni

Disguised as a priest, he elicits the full account of Edmond's misfortunes and gives Caderousse the diamond.

### Mercédès

Marries Fernand after waiting for Edmond; later secretly gives Caderousse money when he is destitute.

### Fernand Mondego

Jealous of Edmond, he helps Danglars denounce him; marries Mercédès and becomes Count of Morcerf.

### Baron Danglars

Writes the denunciation letter against Edmond; later refuses to help Caderousse.

### Edmond Dantès

The wrongfully imprisoned protagonist; his fate is the subject of Caderousse's story.

### Policar Morrel

The honest shipowner who interceded for Edmond and supported his father; his red silk purse is exchanged for the diamond.

### La Carconte

Caderousse's wife; expresses doubt about the diamond's authenticity after the abbé leaves.

## Key lines

> Frailty, thy name is woman.

The abbé quotes Shakespeare's Hamlet, implying that women are inherently weak or fickle.

_Said by the abbé after hearing how Mercédès married Fernand after waiting only eighteen months._

> They denounced Edmond as a Bonapartist agent.

Fernand and Danglars falsely accused Edmond of being a spy for Napoleon.

_Caderousse explains the cause of Edmond's arrest._

> I am expiating a moment of selfishness, and so I always say to La Carconte, when she complains, ‘Hold your tongue, woman; it is the will of God.’

Caderousse believes his current poverty is punishment for his cowardly silence during Edmond's denunciation.

_Caderousse justifies his misfortunes as divine retribution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters/xxvii-the-story
- 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