Theme of Happiness in The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Essay Example

In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, there are many themes that are interwoven into the intricate plots within the novel. Some of these themes include manipulation, love, and hatred. The most distinctive theme is relative happiness in comparison to absolute happiness. When Eugenie Danglars finally realizes Andrea Cavalcanti´s true identity, it is clear that Eugenie realizes her absolute happiness would not have been found with him or any man. Her relative happiness is pretending to be happy with men in order to please her family when she really loves Louise dÁrmilly who makes her genuinely happy.

During Albert and Eugenie’s engagement, it is shown that they are not content with each other. ¨It’s a crude way of putting it, perhaps, but it’s still true. It’s too bad she’ll have to become my wife before I can get what I want from her. I’m horrified at the thought of living with her, talking to her, listening to her sing and having her compose her music and her poetry in my presence for the rest of my life¨ (Dumas 282). Albert believes that Eugenie is not a very caring person and seems to despise the thought of having her around; therefore, he has no interest in Eugenie or her hobbies. Eugenie feels bored with Albert; she does not want to marry a man, but she chooses to stay with him in order to keep her love life a secret. 

It is shown quite clearly throughout the story that Eugenie Danglars hates men. When she runs away with Louise after the wedding, she states that she despises men. ¨All men are contemptible! And I’m happy that I am able to do more than hate them: now I can despise them¨ (Dumas 410). Eugenie is confident in her opinion of men, so the thought of marrying a man is unacceptable to her. She keeps the relationship with Louise a secret in order to keep her family content by marrying a man. This portrays the theme of relative happiness with how this arranged marriage keeps the Danglars family satisfied when in reality, it is not what Eugenie wants.

When Eugenie is given the opportunity to leave with Louise, she takes it. ‘“Why should I stay? So they can try and marry me to someone else a month from now? No, Lousie, what happened tonight will serve as my excuse; I wasn’t looking for one, but God sent me this one and it’s welcome”’ (Dumas 411). She is tired of being thrown around by the Danglars to marry men for their own gain. While Eugenie internally rejects all of the men in her life saying she was not looking for someone to marry, she welcomes Louise as the one. Because of this, it is shown what her absolute happiness is as well as her true feelings towards Louise. 

Eugenie will do anything to be with Louise. She decides to change her appearance in order to be in public with her. “Grasping her long, thick tresses in her left hand, she took a pair of scissors in her right hand; a few moments later nearly all of her splendid hair was lying on the floor at her feet” (Dumas 412). This shows that Eugenie truly cares for Louise. She already has a plan to escape with Louise by dressing up in masculine attire and pretending to be Louise’s brother by lying on her passport. She schemes to leave with Louise and travel to Italy in order to be with her. Putting in the effort to come up with this scheme shows that Eugenie truly wants to be with Louise and nobody else, no matter what the family wants her to do.

There are numerous themes that are incorporated throughout the story but the main theme that is most apparent is the difference between relative happiness and absolute happiness. The recurring thoughts that Eugenie has about men as well as her relationship history shows that she does not want to be with men. She is annoyed to be around them but decides to be with them to appease the Danglars. This is her relative happiness. Her absolute happiness, on the other hand, is shown through her relationship with Louise. When she earns the chance to be with Louise, she prioritizes her over anybody else. She will go to great lengths in order to be genuinely fulfilled with her. She will lie, change her appearance, and leave her family so she can pursue her absolute happiness which is her love for Louise. This is just one example of the complexity of these themes within The Count of Monte Cristo.