Use the story excerpt to answer the question. In 3–5 sentences, explain how Dantès contributes to the development of a theme. Provide samples from the text to support your answer.This room was occupied by Dantès’ father. The news of the arrival of the Pharaoh had not yet reached the old man, who, mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind him exclaimed, “Father—dear father!”The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling. “What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?” inquired the young man, much alarmed. No, no, my dear Edmond—my boy—my son!—no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly—Ah, I feel as if I were going to die.”Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! ’Tis I—really I! They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be happy.”
Yes, yes, my boy, so we will—so we will,” replied the old man; “but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has befallen you.” “God forgive me,” said the young man, “for rejoicing at happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?”Yes, my dear boy,” replied the old man, “it is very fortunateWell, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to have a small house, with a garden in which to plant clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, father? Are you not well?” “’Tis nothing, nothing; it will soon pass away”—and as he said so the old man’s strength failed him, and he fell backwards Come, come,” said the young man, “a glass of wine, father, will revive you. Where do you keep your wine?” No, no; thanks. You need not look for it; I do not want it,” said the old man.Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is,” and he opened two or three cupboards.“It is no use,” said the old man, “there is no wine.”“What, no wine?” said Dantès, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards. “What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?” “I want nothing now that I have you,” said the old man.Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is,” and he opened two or three cupboards.“It is no use,” said the old man, “there is no wine What, no wine?” said Dantès, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards. “What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?”“I want nothing now that I have you,” said the old man.Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is,” and he opened two or three cupboards.
“It is no use,” said the old man, “there is no wine.”“What, no wine?” said Dantès, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards. “What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?”“I want nothing now that I have you,” said the old man.Yet,” stammered Dantès, wiping the perspiration from his brow,—“yet I gave you two hundred francs when I left, three months ago.”“Yes, yes, Edmond, that is true, but you forgot at that time a little debt to our neighbor, Caderousse. He reminded me of it, telling me if I did not pay for you, he would be paid by M. Morrel; and so, you see, lest he might do you an injury——”Well?”But,” cried Dantès, “it was a hundred and forty francs I owed Caderousse.”“Yes,” stammered the old man.And you paid him out of the two hundred francs I left you?”So that you have lived for three months on sixty francs,” muttered Edmond.“You know how little I require,” said the old man.Heaven pardon me,” cried Edmond, falling on his knees before his father.
In this excerpt, Dantès contributes to the development of the theme of sacrifice. Despite being excited about his newfound fortune, Dantès feels guilty about the source of his good luck, as it came from the death of Captain Leclere. He also sacrifices his own happiness and well-being to take care of his father, giving him all the money he had left and living on a bare minimum for three months. This demonstrates Dantès' selflessness and willingness to put others before himself, highlighting the theme of sacrifice in the story.
In this excerpt, Dantès contributes to the development of the theme of familial love and sacrifice. Despite his own joy and good fortune, Dantès is deeply concerned for his father's well-being and happiness. He shows genuine empathy and willingness to provide for his father's needs, even if it means sacrificing his own money. Dantès's actions and words demonstrate his deep love and devotion towards his father. This theme is evident in the following samples from the text:
1. "What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?” inquired the young man, much alarmed.
2. "Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! ’Tis I—really I!... and we are going to be happy.”
3. "Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to have a small house... But what ails you, father? Are you not well?”
4. "What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?"
5. "I want nothing now that I have you," said the old man.
6. "Yet,” stammered Dantès, wiping the perspiration from his brow,—“yet I gave you two hundred francs when I left, three months ago."
7. "Heaven pardon me,” cried Edmond, falling on his knees before his father.
These samples from the text showcase Dantès's care and concern for his father's well-being, as well as his willingness to provide for his needs and make sacrifices for his happiness.
In this excerpt, Dantès contributes to the development of the theme of family and sacrifice. Dantès returns home after a long absence and finds his father in poor health and living in poverty. Despite his own success and newfound fortune, Dantès realizes that his father has sacrificed his own well-being for Dantès' sake. This is evident through Dantès' concern for his father's health, his willingness to provide for his father's needs, and his guilt over the financial burden his father has taken on. This demonstrates Dantès' deep love and devotion to his family, as well as the sacrifices they make for each other.
Sample from text: "The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling. 'What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?' inquired the young man, much alarmed. 'No, no, my dear Edmond—my boy—my son!—no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly—Ah, I feel as if I were going to die.'"
Sample from text: "'God forgive me,' said the young man, 'for rejoicing at happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?'"
Sample from text: "Yes, yes, father, tell me where it is,' and he opened two or three cupboards....'What, no wine?' said Dantès, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards.'What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father?' 'I want nothing now that I have you,' said the old man."