CMC Discussion Questions Week One (UPDATED FOR FRIDAY)

NOTE: This will be updated throughout the week. Keep checking back for ideas.

We will be going through CMC much as we did TKM, 20 mins of in class reading followed by 20 mins of open discussion. However, because there is a lot more going on in this book in terms of plot I am going to be posting some guiding questions every week that should help you come to class prepared. At the end of the book you are going to have to turn in your notes, so keep track of them.

This week is all about the exposition. We have covered the where and when, now we need a deeper understanding of the who.

• The author seems to set up Dantes as well-liked, yet Fernand and Danglars clearly don't like him. What's up with that
• Pg 40-41 Who do you feel more sorry for, Mercedes or Dantes' Father?
• "I don't think man was meant to attain happiness so easily..." Pg 18. Agree? Disagree?
• Dueling wedding parties- symbolism should be obvious, is it too much? Some people say Dumas hits you over the head with his themes. What do you think?
• Pg 30 Dantes seems pretty calm after being arrested. Is he confident or clueless?
• What are some things we learn about Villefort?
• Around page 45 we learn that 7 years have passed. Did you realize that? Is it moving too fast?
• pg 58 Dantes swears vengeance. Would Abbe have helped if he knew Dantes wanted revenge?
• Wait and hope are "key words" that we should be paying attention to if we are eventually to determine what the authors problems and solutions are. Where have we heard these words so far

• pg 60's Treasure island? First try to explain what they whole deal with the treasure is about. Whose is it? Where did it come from? Where is it now? Then, do you think this "works" or is it too fantastic to be believable?

• Lucky that the pirates were going to Monte Cristo, in fact luck, good and bad are all over this novel. Where else? Any ideas as to why Dumas leaves so many turning points up to luck?
• pgs 77-82 Themes: baptism, rebirth, new beginnings, new identities. Explain

Remember, these are just suggested items to discuss. You should make your notes your own. Fill them with questions, character charts, quotes you think are interesting...whatever. They are serving 2 purposes-

1. Prove you have read and thought about the book.
2. Give yourself something to fall back on during class discussion.