MINIATURES

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) As a young student, Jose Rizal read and admired the novel "The Count of Monte-Cristo" by  French  author Alexandre Dumas (père). Quite often people who read Rizal and this work of Dumas, relay the character of Edmond Dantes with that of Simoun (El Filibusterismo). The plot of revenge and the lonely figure of an avenging hero is too similar to be ignored. The difference c ame in the ending of the two novels. While Edmond Dantes found fulfillment in his life, Rizal gave a tragic end for Simoun (Ibarra).  The ever present themes of 19th Century "Romanticism" are found not only in the works of Rizal but also even in the way he conducted his life. "Canto del Viajero" (poem of Rizal) reminds one of the many adventures of Edmond Dantes.  Is there really an Edmond Dantes in Jose Rizal?    El Conde de Monte-Cristo. Spanish Edition