Resume - PBA 4.1 Character Analysis - Vibha Suchay Krish Riyan Eshaan

Applying for Head of Marketing

I’m Edmond Dantes, a prosperous man from Marseilles. I came from humble origins. I worked my way up to my current position through hard work and a little luck. Some of my favorite pastimes include journeying and experiencing various cultures throughout Eurasia. Goals of mine include avenging the fourteen years I lost to false accusations of treason and eliminating my enemies.

-Introversion

Dantes' Traits

1. Loyalty Dantes showed loyalty in book by staying with Faria even though he could escape. He did this because he "was[n't] capable" of abandoning Faria (Dumas 62). - The loyalty of Dantes would make him loyal to this company and a good fit. 2. Intelligence Dantes showed throughout quick thinking and fast learing throughout the book. When discovering hsi fortune, with a broken leg he had an "idea occur" to him (Dumas 90). - His intelligence would make him good at doing his job and make him quialified for this position. 3. Patience Dantes showed patience in the book when he waited for over 14 years to escape prison. He also showed self control when thinking that he "could certaininly wait for six months or a year" (Dumas 86). - His patience and self control could help him deal with difficult customers and communicate ideas with a cool head.

CANDIDATE STUDY A

corporate led study investigating the candidate's social, personal, and philosophical traits

Social Connections

In The Count of Monte Cristo, Dantès is influenced by his substantial amount of social connections. His connection with Abbè Faria is particularly important because Faria shaped Dantès’ personality through the many aliases he was to take on after prison. An essential part of the novel occurs when Faria notes that there “is a maxim of jurisprudence which says, ‘If you wish to discover the guilty person, first find out to whom the crime might be useful,’ To whom might your disappearance be useful?” (Dumas 54). In this pivotal moment, Faria prompts Dantès to consider that there may have been individuals with bad intentions towards him, something Dantès' naivety never considered. Once Dantès realized there were people who sought his misfortune, he generated a powerful purpose of retribution against his newfound enemies. Without Dantès’ connection with Faria, he would have never had a purpose in life. Furthermore, Dantès’ connection with Faria allowed him to become the Count of Monte Cristo. After Faria tells Dantès about the story of Caesar Spada, he reveals that “half the treasure is yours; if I die here and you escape alone, it all belongs to you”. (Dumas 71). Without access to this treasure, Dantès would not have had the resources that are fueling his alias as the Count of Monte Cristo. These riches not only allow him to live a free life, but they also allow him access to almost all means of retribution he finds inviting. Consequently, Dantès’ connection to Abbe Faria was utterly indispensable. This is even apparent when Dantes names one of his aliases “Abbe Busoni” in memory of Abbe Faria. This social connection was essential for Dantes to form his complete personality, purpose, and success in life.

Big Five Personality Traits

In The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, Dantès manifests the trait of introversion. His introversion is important to the novel because it often impacts what the character would do. This is displayed when Dantès utters the words “farewell to kindness, humanity, and gratitude” (Dumas 131). His nonchalant way of leaving everything behind is proving his introversion, as introverts are normally more detached from society. If an extrovert was put in a situation where they had to completely abandon their old life, it would cause a lot more depression and anxiety compared to Dantès’ indifference to the subject. More instances of Dantès being an introvert include all the times he was by himself on adventures or deep in his thoughts. He isn’t married, he has no offspring, it’s just Dantès on his adventures. Spending all this time alone on travels causes Dantès to not make any true human connections, the people closest to him being mere aliases such as Abbe Busoni. In fact, outside of his slaves and bandits, Albert and Franz are the first characters we truly see as the Count of Monte Cristo’s acquaintances.Due to this seclusion, we can infer that in the time between him leaving Marseille and meeting Albert, Dantès was largely alone. Introverts prefer alone time like this, so it’s easy to link Dantès to an introverted personality. One more occasion where Dantès shows introverted traits is when he lies about Caderousse. The Count told the police, “he knew only what had been told to him by the Abbè Busoni” (Dumas 344). Not only is this a blatant lie, but also Abbè Busoni doesn’t even exist. He’s simply a nom de guerre. Dantès’ secrets and large manipulative plan tricking everyone is conveying his introverted nature because it discloses his private and sequestered life, playing the puppet master and using everyone. Dantès keeps to himself and doesn’t disclose this plan with anyone, proving his introversion. The character of Dantès manifests introversion through his secrecy, alone time, and eagerness to start a new life.

Kohlberg's Stages

Throughout The Count of Monte Cristo, Edmond Dantes exhibits stage two Kohlberg moral development by following retribution and reward-driven motives to guide his actions rather than anything else. For example, Dantes indirectly denounces Fernand, implying that “‘the joy of vengeance’” and the ability to punish Fernand for his betrayal (Dumas 393). In this stage of moral development, one’s desire for personal gain and pleasure guides their perception of “right” and “wrong”. Similarly, Dantes, enraged at being betrayed, seeks vengeance. Dantes obtains satisfaction and pleasure from destroying Fernand’s life and driving him to insanity/death, showing how Dantes seeks is on stage two of his moral development. Additionally, Dantes lets almost all of Villefort’s family die because those people are not his friends, and he has “‘no preference between murderer and victim’” (Dumas 402). Dantes sees nothing to gain from the incident as he has no reason to save the targets. As a result, Dantes finds the moral decision to be to simply ignore the whole situation. However, when he finds out that his friend’s happiness is at stake because Maximilian’s fiancee is a target, Dantes decides to intervene. Dantes would like to keep the respect of this adoptive son of sorts), so he finally puts aside his hatred for Villefort simply because he stands more to gain than he does to lose. Throughout the course of the novel, Dantes’ actions and behaviors exhibit stage 2 Kohlberg moral behavior as his endeavors for satisfaction and happiness guide his life.

Personal Experiences

Throughout Alexdandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo, the protagonist, Dantès’ personal experience of his time in prison, and his gain of wealth. At the beginning of the novel Dantès was caught in a cycle of naïvety. He was very trusting of others and was ignorant to his own "friends" plotting his demise by writing a letter that framed Dantès of treason; which resulted in Dantès exile to prison (Dumas 16). In prison he came to his senses of the injustice that was shown towards him, and he lost all sense of himself to the point where “he did not even recognize himself” (Dumas 58 - 86). His experience of his time in prison resulted in the blossoming of a darkness within himself that was never there before. His unleashed inner darkness led to a drain of his previous innocence and to a thirst of vengeance. “[E]veryday of of those fourteen years [in which he was imprisoned, he] renewed [a] vow of vengeance” to those who betrayed him, to those who he had trusted and who had broke that trust (Dumas 376). This experience was merely just the beginning of his spiral of character alteration. An additional experience of his, that influenced his character includes his gain of wealth. He discovered a “treasure” which ensured his future of wealth (Dumas 92). His gained wealth, influenced Dantès’ character as his financial future was more than secure, and that put in a position of societal power. His gained wealth gave him the power to both give himself a new persona and let him climb societal classes. His experiences of his time in prison and his gain of wealth, influenced him in such a manner where they altered his character to the opposite of his previous self.

Character Philosophy

In The Count of Monte Cristo, the philosophies of Edmond Dantes change drastically. In the beginning of the book, we can see that he doesn't really have any philosophies and just wants to do good. However, this all changes within prison. After being abandoned by everyone he knew, he turns to God. He prayed day and night and this is where we start to see a change in his philosophies because afterwards when he escapes he accounts it to "God, who drew [him] out of nothingness" (Dumas 212). This philosophy which he now believes in is known as Divine Command Theory which claims that morality is based on God's will and you are moral if you follow God's commands. We can see this during the murder of Caderousse. Dantes, now the Count of Monte Cristo, watches the murder of Caderousse and does nothing to stop it and doesn't even try to save him. The reason being was that Caderousse being murdered was God's punishment and it "sacrilege to oppose the intentions of Providence" (Dumas 341). Now it is widely accepted that it isn't moral to murder someone and that you should try to save them. Dantes didn't believe that in that specific situation it would be moral because he considered it the will of God.

CANDIDATE STUDY B

corporate-led study investigating the candidate's influences and behavior

How does motivation influence the character?

Motivation is a principle of every action, why to every action and the cause to every effect. This principle is demonstrated in Alexandre Dumas’ novel, the Count of Monte Cristo, as the main protagonist, Dantes’ actions were influenced by his motivation for revenge. In the novel Dantes is betrayed by those who he calls his friends, and he is exiled to prison. This betrayal resulted in his once “smiling lips [to] tak[e] on the firm lines of resolution”, a resolution of vengeance (Dumas 85). He was about to “marry a woman with whom [he was] in love [with]” and get promoted to ship captain (Dumas 25). Just when his life had peaked with good fortune, his life shattered before him. Out of jealousy, three men who claimed to be his loyal friends deprived him of all of those whom he loved. This betrayal sparked a motive of vengeance for Dantes, a thirst for justice. He executed his vengeance the same way that they ruined him, by taking them away from the people that they loved. An example would be Fernand, one of the betrayers, shot himself after his son and wife ran away deeming his house to be ‘“no longer [their] home”’ (Dumas 394). Another example would be that the Villefort family spiraled into demise. Thus in Dumas’ novel the Count of Monte Cristo, the betrayal by those who Dantes trusted shattered his world and it served as a motivation of vengeance for him, which influenced his actions of getting himself justice.

Motivation is a principle of every action, why to every action and the cause to every effect. This principle is demonstrated in Alexandre Dumas’ novel, the Count of Monte Cristo, as the main protagonist, Dantes’ actions were influenced by his motivation for revenge. In the novel Dantes is betrayed by those who he calls his friends, and he is exiled to prison. This betrayal resulted in his once “smiling lips [to] tak[e] on the firm lines of resolution”, a resolution of vengeance (Dumas 85). He was about to “marry a woman with whom [he was] in love [with]” and get promoted to ship captain (Dumas 25). Just when his life had peaked with good fortune, his life shattered before him. Out of jealousy, three men who claimed to be his loyal friends deprived him of all of those whom he loved. This betrayal sparked a motive of vengeance for Dantes, a thirst for justice. He executed his vengeance the same way that they ruined him, by taking them away from the people that they loved. An example would be Fernand, one of the betrayers, shot himself after his son and wife ran away deeming his house to be ‘“no longer [their] home”’ (Dumas 394). Another example would be that the Villefort family spiraled into demise. Thus in Dumas’ novel the Count of Monte Cristo, the betrayal by those who Dantes trusted shattered his world and it served as a motivation of vengeance for him, which influenced his actions of getting himself justice.

What motivates the character?

In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the main character Dantes is motivated by an underlying hatred for his enemies; Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort. Dantes’ motivation to get revenge on the people who completely ruined his life is the driving force of the story, as well as the theme. An example of this is after the confrontation between Fernand and Dantes, when “a shot rang out” (Dumas 395). While this is a rather vague sentence, it’s inferrable that Fernand committed suicide. This was Dantes’ first act of revenge. He was motivated to drive Fernand insane because Fernand tried and succeeded in stealing Dantes’ fiance. This led to Fernand finding out and challenging Dantes to a duel, but it was too late. Through all this, Fernand didn’t know that the Count was Dantes. Mercedes and Albert decided to completely ditch Fernand with her son, leaving him alone. While dramatic, Fernand decided to shoot himself to end his suffering. This proves Dantes’ motivation, keeping a grudge for fourteen years. Another character he was motivated to get revenge on was Villefort. After finding out his wife committed suicide and murdered his son, “Villefort, thunderstruck, struck to his knees” (Dumas 483). Basically, Villefort said “kill yourself” to his wife. The madam took this seriously, but didn’t want to leave her son alone. She decided to kill herself and her son too. Now Villefort, thinking his wife wouldn’t take him seriously, came home to discover both dead, driving him insane. While this story doesn’t seem to relate to Dantes, it does. He’s the reason Villefort was arguing with his wife so much. Pretty directly, the Count caused Villefort to go insane and caused his family to die. These two scenes display Dantes’ motivation and determination to get his sweet revenge, no matter what.

In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the main character Dantes is motivated by an underlying hatred for his enemies; Fernand, Danglars, and Villefort. Dantes’ motivation to get revenge on the people who completely ruined his life is the driving force of the story, as well as the theme. An example of this is after the confrontation between Fernand and Dantes, when “a shot rang out” (Dumas 395). While this is a rather vague sentence, it’s inferrable that Fernand committed suicide. This was Dantes’ first act of revenge. He was motivated to drive Fernand insane because Fernand tried and succeeded in stealing Dantes’ fiance. This led to Fernand finding out and challenging Dantes to a duel, but it was too late. Through all this, Fernand didn’t know that the Count was Dantes. Mercedes and Albert decided to completely ditch Fernand with her son, leaving him alone. While dramatic, Fernand decided to shoot himself to end his suffering. This proves Dantes’ motivation, keeping a grudge for fourteen years. Another character he was motivated to get revenge on was Villefort. After finding out his wife committed suicide and murdered his son, “Villefort, thunderstruck, struck to his knees” (Dumas 483). Basically, Villefort said “kill yourself” to his wife. The madam took this seriously, but didn’t want to leave her son alone. She decided to kill herself and her son too. Now Villefort, thinking his wife wouldn’t take him seriously, came home to discover both dead, driving him insane. While this story doesn’t seem to relate to Dantes, it does. He’s the reason Villefort was arguing with his wife so much. Pretty directly, the Count caused Villefort to go insane and caused his family to die. These two scenes display Dantes’ motivation and determination to get his sweet revenge, no matter what.

How does motivation resolve the conflict?

In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the main conflict is resolved by Dantes's primary motivation of revenge. When Dantes was imprisoned, he discovered that some of his peers had bad intentions toward him. After escaping prison, he was motivated to get revenge on them because he was the man they “betrayed and dishonored, the man whose fiancee you prostitute, the man on whom you trod on the way to fortune, the man whose father you caused to die of hunger, the man you condemned to die of hunger but who now forgives you because he himself needs to be forgiven”. (Dumas 522). These motivations resolved the conflict because, in the end, Dantes was able to bring about the downfall of his rivals. After executing his revenge, he notices a new, underlying motivation of love. He realizes this when he “trembled at the sound of [Haydee’s] voice, which touched the most secret fibers of his heart.” (Dumas 529). The story concludes with Dantes pursuing his motivation of love and sailing off into the distance with Haydee.

In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the main conflict is resolved by Dantes's primary motivation of revenge. When Dantes was imprisoned, he discovered that some of his peers had bad intentions toward him. After escaping prison, he was motivated to get revenge on them because he was the man they “betrayed and dishonored, the man whose fiancee you prostitute, the man on whom you trod on the way to fortune, the man whose father you caused to die of hunger, the man you condemned to die of hunger but who now forgives you because he himself needs to be forgiven”. (Dumas 522). These motivations resolved the conflict because, in the end, Dantes was able to bring about the downfall of his rivals. After executing his revenge, he notices a new, underlying motivation of love. He realizes this when he “trembled at the sound of [Haydee’s] voice, which touched the most secret fibers of his heart.” (Dumas 529). The story concludes with Dantes pursuing his motivation of love and sailing off into the distance with Haydee.

How do character behaviors influence the events?

In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the events are affected by the character's Dantes' actions to get him vengeance. When arriving in Paris, Dantes set many plans in motion, one of which was supplying Madame Villefort with a deadly poison. She later uses this same poison to murder Madmesiale Villefort by "pouring out death" into her beverage while she slept (Dumas 426). The reason the Count gave Madame Villefort a way to murder her stepdaughter was to get revenge on Monsieur Villefort. In this way, the behavior of getting revenge influences the events of the novel. Another example of this is when he purchased Madame Danglars prized stallions in order to stir discord between her and Monsieur Danglars. This results in their "domestic peace is now" in the Count's hands (Dumas 327). This action that he makes results in the separation of Madame and Monsieur Danglars showing how his behavior and actions influences the events of the novel.

In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the events are affected by the character's Dantes' actions to get him vengeance. When arriving in Paris, Dantes set many plans in motion, one of which was supplying Madame Villefort with a deadly poison. She later uses this same poison to murder Madmesiale Villefort by "pouring out death" into her beverage while she slept (Dumas 426). The reason the Count gave Madame Villefort a way to murder her stepdaughter was to get revenge on Monsieur Villefort. In this way, the behavior of getting revenge influences the events of the novel. Another example of this is when he purchased Madame Danglars prized stallions in order to stir discord between her and Monsieur Danglars. This results in their "domestic peace is now" in the Count's hands (Dumas 327). This action that he makes results in the separation of Madame and Monsieur Danglars showing how his behavior and actions influences the events of the novel.

How do behaviors resolve the conflict?

Throughout The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas uses the protagonist's actions as direct resolution or indirect manipulation for a conflict of avenging betrayal. Dantes’ actions often indirectly achieve revenge. For example, Dantes convinces Haydee to denounce Fernand in court, indirectly bringing about an encounter that ended in Fernand going home alone and “a shot [ringing] out” (Dumas 395). Dantes accused Fernand of crimes through someone else, which eventually resulted in resolving part of the conflict through Fernand’s eventual death. However, Dantes’ actions also occasionally bring about revenge directly, like how Dantes and the bandits kidnapped Danglars and charged “‘[o]ne hundred thousand francs’” for each of his meals (Dumas 516). Dantes directly achieves his goals by nearly bankrupting Danglars, finally resolving the vengeance-driven plot and conflict of the novel through direct actions and indirect manipulation.