The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas
This room was occupied by Dantès’ father. The news of the arrival of the Pharaon had not yet reached the old man, who, mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind him exclaimed, “Father—dear father!”
The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling.
“What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?” inquired the young man, much alarmed.
“No, no, my dear Edmond—my boy—my son!—no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly—Ah, I feel as if I were going to die.”
“Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! ’Tis I—really I! They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be happy.”
“Yes, yes, my boy, so we will—so we will,” replied the old man; “but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has befallen you.”
“God forgive me,” said the young man, “for rejoicing at happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?”
“Yes, my dear boy,” replied the old man, “it is very fortunate.”
“Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to have a small house, with a garden in which to plant clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, father? Are you not well?”
From The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
How does point of view help readers understand what a character or characters think or feel in this excerpt?
(1 point)
Responses
Readers know both characters’ feelings and thoughts because of the dialogue they exchange.
Readers know both characters’ feelings and thoughts because of the dialogue they exchange.
Readers know both characters’ feelings and thoughts because of the narrator’s third-person omniscient point of view.
Readers know both characters’ feelings and thoughts because of the narrator’s third-person omniscient point of view.
Readers know Edmund’s father’s feelings and thoughts because of the narrator’s third-person limited point of view.
Readers know Edmund’s father’s feelings and thoughts because of the narrator’s third-person limited point of view.
Readers know Edmund’s feelings and thoughts because of his role as the main character.
Readers know Edmund’s feelings and thoughts because of his role as the main character.
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1 answer
In this excerpt from The Count of Monte Cristo, the third-person omniscient point of view allows readers to understand the thoughts and feelings of both Dantès and his father. The narrator provides insight into the father's surprise and joy at seeing his son, as well as his initial shock that leads to a physical reaction of trembling. This emotional depth is conveyed through the descriptions of the father's feelings, such as feeling as if he is going to die from surprise and joy.
Simultaneously, readers are privy to Dantès’ feelings as he expresses concern for his father's well-being and excitement about his own good fortune. The dialogue between them further emphasizes their emotional connection. The combination of the narrator's insights and the characters' dialogue creates a fuller picture of their emotional states, enhancing readers' understanding of their relationship and individual experiences.
Therefore, the correct response to the question would be:
Readers know both characters’ feelings and thoughts because of the narrator’s third-person omniscient point of view.
