An English Teacher Reads The Count of Monte Cristo XXXII - XXXIII (32-33) - Bantam Abridged

Summary

In this dramatic chapter, Maximilian Morrel waits at the garden gate for his love, Valentine, while she navigates her complex family dynamics. Valentine confides in Maximilian about her struggles with marriage arrangements, including her refusal to marry Franz, her arranged fiancé. As the tension escalates, Valentin's grandfather, the ailing Monsieur Nortier, uses his limited communication to express his disapproval of her marriage. The story also highlights the manipulation and power plays of her stepmother, Madame de Villefort, as she plans her own future and fortune. The evolving relationships and struggles set the stage for a dramatic family showdown.

Takeaways

• 😀 Maximilian Morrel waits for Valentine at the garden gate, initially expecting to meet only her, but instead finds both Valentine and Eugenie arriving together.
• 😀 Valentine and Eugenie, despite being friends, express their mutual dissatisfaction with their engagements, with Valentine revealing her deep affection for Maximilian.
• 😀 Valentine shares with Maximilian the unsettling nature of her marriage to Franz, revealing that her stepmother, Madame de Villefort, may not approve of the marriage.
• 😀 Valentine confides in Maximilian about her significant fortune, explaining how her wealth ties her to her stepmother's plans for her future, including a marriage arrangement.
• 😀 Maximilian assures Valentine that his love for her is unconditional, regardless of her wealth, and promises to always remain devoted to her.
• 😀 Valentine explains that her stepmother’s desire for control over her wealth is driven by her own desire to secure a future for her son, Edward, who stands to inherit the fortune if Valentine doesn’t marry.
• 😀 Maximilian urges Valentine not to worry about the marriage, but Valentine’s concerns deepen as she anticipates a potential message from her stepmother regarding her future.
• 😀 The scene then shifts to Monster de Villefort and his wife discussing the potential marriage with Monster Nortier, Valentine’s grandfather, who is paralyzed and communicates solely through his eyes.
• 😀 Monster Nortier reacts with visible anger when he learns about the engagement, particularly because of the political history with Franz’s family, and he signals his disapproval of the marriage through his eyes.
• 😀 In a tense exchange, Valentine interprets her grandfather's wishes and learns that he disapproves of her marriage and intends to disinherit her unless she breaks the engagement, signaling a major conflict in the family’s future.

Q & A

Why did Maximilian Morrel feel relieved after Valentine met Eugenie?

Maximilian felt relieved because he understood that Valentine’s delay was due to an unavoidable visit from Madame Danglars and not due to anything suspicious. He recognized the situation with the quick intuition of a lover.

What was Valentine’s opinion on marriage, as discussed with Eugenie?

Valentine shared that she was unhappy about the thought of marrying Franz d'Epinay, just as Eugenie detested the idea of marrying Albert de Morcerf. Valentine confided that she would rather not marry at all, and that she'd rather live a free and independent life.

How did Maximilian express his feelings about Valentine’s potential marriage?

Maximilian assured Valentine that he would always love her regardless of wealth or poverty, and that he would never belong to another woman as long as he lived. His devotion to her was unconditional.

What was the reason for Valentine’s stepmother’s opposition to marriage?

Valentine’s stepmother, Madame de Villefort, opposed marriage because of financial reasons. Since Valentine had a large fortune, her stepmother wanted her to enter a convent so that the inheritance would go to her son, Edward, who had nothing.

What role does Monsieur Nortier play in Valentine’s life?

Monsieur Nortier, Valentine’s grandfather, is a powerful figure in her life. Despite his physical paralysis, he communicates through his eyes, and Valentine has become adept at interpreting his thoughts. He is deeply protective of her and is concerned about her future, especially regarding her marriage.

Why did Monsieur de Villefort and his wife speak to Monsieur Nortier about Valentine’s marriage?

Monsieur de Villefort and his wife informed Monsieur Nortier about Valentine’s upcoming marriage to Franz d'Epinay, partly because they believed he would be pleased with the match. They also wanted to assure him that Valentine’s new husband would take care of him, as he was a father figure to her.

What was Monsieur Nortier’s reaction to the marriage arrangement?

Monsieur Nortier reacted with anger and disapproval to the marriage, which was evident in the way his eyes flickered. He disapproved of the match between Valentine and Franz d'Epinay, likely due to past political conflicts involving their families.

Why did Monsieur de Villefort dismiss the servant, Berwal, before speaking with Monsieur Nortier?

Monsieur de Villefort dismissed Berwal, an old servant of Monsieur Nortier, to ensure that the conversation with his father would be private. He did not want the servant or anyone else to overhear the sensitive discussion about Valentine’s marriage.

How does Monsieur Nortier communicate his wishes, given his paralysis?

Monsieur Nortier communicates by using his eyes. He signals approval by closing his eyes, refusal by blinking them, and other desires by looking in specific directions or focusing on certain objects, such as the dictionary that Valentine used to interpret his thoughts.

What was the significance of the will Monsieur Nortier wanted to create?

Monsieur Nortier wanted to create a will to express his wishes regarding the distribution of his fortune. He intended to disinherit Valentine due to her upcoming marriage to Franz d'Epinay, as he disapproved of the union. Instead, he planned to leave his fortune to the poor, showing his deep disapproval of the marriage arrangement.