Ah, the plot is ever thickening... da duh DAH! (Hear this as a sound effect.) First of all you have discovered now that Valentine doesn't want to marry Franz d'Epinay. We also see now that Nortier doesn't want this either and is changing his will because of it.
In addition you see Baron Danglars deceived about the Spanish bonds. In case this wasn't clear, let me explain. Lucien Debray (Madame Danglars' "boyfriend") has access to stock tips. He passes the information on to Madame Danglars who then passes the information on to Baron Danglars although she says things like "I had a dream about these bonds" or "I had a feeling we should..." or "I overheard at a party ..." She doesn't actually tell the Baron that Debray told her the information. Baron Danglars then follows the tip, makes money, and then he gives Madame Danglars one-quarter of his winnings which she keeps and uses for herself and Lucien Debray. He knows it's going on, but since it's to his advantage, he just goes along with it.
CMC (Count of Monte Cristo) just the day before went to see the telegraph system. On the following day, Lucien Debray gets the word that something political is going on in Spain and that it was good to get rid of Spanish bonds. He tells her, she tells her husband, and he sells all of his bonds before anyone else knows and saves himself money after the stock crashes. The next day the news comes out that this was false information and that the stocks had risen to twice their price. Unfortunately Baron Danglars lost one million francs. Hmmm...wonder who was behind that?!?!?!?
Now, I want you to discuss the following ideas. What did CMC accomplish through the dinner party at Autueil? (Don't stop at just one answer here.) What did the dinner party add to your characterization and understanding of the Count of Monte Cristo? Did it enhance what you already knew about him? Did you discover new things about the way he operated?
We haven't heard much about Fernand for a while. We're about to. Just hang on for a little while! Happy reading!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Blog 3
The part you are reading tonight can be a little confusing. First of all, you will notice how much "confidential" information comes through Abbe Busoni which was a masterful ploy of Edmond Dantes. It was normal to confess everything to a priest because he was sworn to secrecy and would not tell what you had told him. But they weren't really confessing to a real priest. The Count got some great information "for free" as a result of this.
I love the whole story of Bertuccio. Are you enjoying how things seem to intertwine, like Bertuccio being in the inn when the jeweler returned on the stormy night?
Bertuccio thinks he killed de Villefort. Any thoughts? Any questions?
I love the whole story of Bertuccio. Are you enjoying how things seem to intertwine, like Bertuccio being in the inn when the jeweler returned on the stormy night?
Bertuccio thinks he killed de Villefort. Any thoughts? Any questions?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DIRECTIONS!!! Muy importante!
Don't forget to list yourself as anonymous and then sign your first name and last initial at the end of your post. I don't want full names on here for your protection. (See box below "post a comment" and comment as "anonymous." MS. J.
Count! Blog 2
Over the week-end you will cover quite a lot of pages. I want to mention a couple of things.
First of all, it was honorable to kill yourself if you did something wrong or if you ruined things for your family. It took away the dishonor and saved your family from embarrassment. It was, back then, the "noble" thing to do. (Remember, this is a very romantic/dramatic novel. Everything seems bigger than life in them.)
We finally meet Edmond as The Count of Monte Cristo. During the Roman carnival, the author gives us characterization on Edmond. Remember to underline passages that deal with revenge. You will see his philosophy on revenge in the pages you are about to read.
You are also about to meet Albert. He is a major character throughout the rest of the book. When you meet the rest of the family, you will know why.
For this post I would like you to tell me who Sinbad the Sailor is and what role he plays in the novel.
First of all, it was honorable to kill yourself if you did something wrong or if you ruined things for your family. It took away the dishonor and saved your family from embarrassment. It was, back then, the "noble" thing to do. (Remember, this is a very romantic/dramatic novel. Everything seems bigger than life in them.)
We finally meet Edmond as The Count of Monte Cristo. During the Roman carnival, the author gives us characterization on Edmond. Remember to underline passages that deal with revenge. You will see his philosophy on revenge in the pages you are about to read.
You are also about to meet Albert. He is a major character throughout the rest of the book. When you meet the rest of the family, you will know why.
For this post I would like you to tell me who Sinbad the Sailor is and what role he plays in the novel.
Count 1-B
(I am including a second blog for blog 1 because 3rd period didn't know about the blog yet. Also, some of 4th period didn't blog either. Remember: each blog counts ten points toward a quiz grade.)
Edmond Dantes doesn't make many mistakes. Every once in a great while he slips up. One of those occurred in your reading over pages 96-123. See if you can find what it is. Explain why it is a "slip up."
Be sure you know what happened to the following characters: Danglars, Fernand, Caderrouse, Mercedes, Morrell and Edmond's father. You will need to know this to continue with the book.
I have heard such good feedback from you all about your feelings on the novel. I overheard one student say, "Well, it's an old book, but it doesn't have old things in it." I have pondered over that and think it's interesting. I think I know what he means. One reason a novel becomes a classic is that it is timeless; the things that happen in it (not the specifics but the bigger issues) could happen in any time period. Betrayal still happens; people still try to get even. It's an age-old theme. That's my thought on what this student meant. Would you agree or do you think he meant something else?
Edmond Dantes doesn't make many mistakes. Every once in a great while he slips up. One of those occurred in your reading over pages 96-123. See if you can find what it is. Explain why it is a "slip up."
Be sure you know what happened to the following characters: Danglars, Fernand, Caderrouse, Mercedes, Morrell and Edmond's father. You will need to know this to continue with the book.
I have heard such good feedback from you all about your feelings on the novel. I overheard one student say, "Well, it's an old book, but it doesn't have old things in it." I have pondered over that and think it's interesting. I think I know what he means. One reason a novel becomes a classic is that it is timeless; the things that happen in it (not the specifics but the bigger issues) could happen in any time period. Betrayal still happens; people still try to get even. It's an age-old theme. That's my thought on what this student meant. Would you agree or do you think he meant something else?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Count! Blog 1
Hi, class.
I have said that the theme of the novel is "revenge." I am going to amend that and say that the theme is "getting even." He spends much time getting even with the people in his life prior to prison time.
In tonight's reading you will find some new characters. There is the priest who visits Caderrouse, and there is a young Englishman who is the head clerk of the firm of Thomson and French. What is the task of these two characters? Read their characterizations carefully. What do you notice about them?
Finally, do you have any questions for me?
I have said that the theme of the novel is "revenge." I am going to amend that and say that the theme is "getting even." He spends much time getting even with the people in his life prior to prison time.
In tonight's reading you will find some new characters. There is the priest who visits Caderrouse, and there is a young Englishman who is the head clerk of the firm of Thomson and French. What is the task of these two characters? Read their characterizations carefully. What do you notice about them?
Finally, do you have any questions for me?
Directions for posting
Hi, students. We will be blogging as we read The Count of Monte Cristo. I will do ten blogs. For each of these, you will get 10 points for each time you respond. At the end of our blogging, this cumulative grade will count as a quiz. We will just be discussing things about the book.
NOTE: To those of you who have read ahead, BE CONSIDERATE and don't give anything away!
Instructions:
First, go to the website.
Secondly, click on "comments."
Start a new comment.
Post anonymously, but you must include your first name and last initial for me to know it's you!
NOTE: To those of you who have read ahead, BE CONSIDERATE and don't give anything away!
Instructions:
First, go to the website.
Secondly, click on "comments."
Start a new comment.
Post anonymously, but you must include your first name and last initial for me to know it's you!
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