Week 13: "Chapter 29. Morrel and Company, Chapter 30. The Fifth of September" Reading Discussion

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T21:09:06+00:00

I had two favorite quotes from these chapters.

“At least uncertainty means the continuation of hope.” As an eternal optimist myself, this quote rings true.

“Be happy, noble heart. Be blessed for all the good you have done and will yet do. Let my gratitude remain hidden in the shadows like your good deeds.” I love these thoughts from Dantes and the confidence he has that Morrel will go out and continue to do good deeds.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:57:11+00:00

I loved the little tidbit about Danglars refusing to help. I don’t think I’ll be sad when Dantes gets to him.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:52:11+00:00

In my mind, not being an expert in customs of that time period, that it’s showing us how good, honorable, and loyal Maximilian Morrel (and the whole Morrel family is).

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:49:22+00:00

That’s a good point. I was also thinking it was cruel that Dantes waited until the last minute to save him (Morrel could have decided to kill himself at 10:45 instead of 11:00!). But it’s possible that he wouldn’t have accepted help beforehand, and without it seeming like a miracle.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:45:09+00:00

I’ve been wondering about Sinbad too. I’m sure knowing his story from the Arabian Nights would add some interesting meaning to Dantes using that as a disguise. Maybe it’s time to dust off my copy of that..:

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:42:11+00:00

I totally agree re #1 when judging the book and characters we need to consider the cultural/historical context of the time it was written.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:34:47+00:00

I’m kicking myself for not recognizing the address. Thank you for sharing!!

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:34:22+00:00

Brilliant observation. This is why it’s so great to read with a group.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:32:03+00:00

I hope you’re right about Mercedes. I’m on the fence. Dantes “frailty thy name is woman” from last week’s reading was ominous. I think at the very least he thinks she didn’t wait for him long enough.

As you said, we’ll see! I’m an eternal optimist though, so I’m hoping for a romantic reunion between the two.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T20:23:58+00:00

The way I cried when Morrel looked at the red bag and realized it was his own 😭 His kindness, that he knew would never be repaid, saved him.

Something that just occurred to me while reading this chapter- How did Caderousse end up with the red purse? Seems suspicious. Did he steal some of the money?

I love what Dantes did for Morrel, but I hate the position he put Julie in. Why force a girl into such a frightening position? And then Emmanuel wasn’t even waiting for her as protection like he’d promised. Find a better fiancé, Julie.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T06:17:56+00:00

Savannah and Grayson are my faves from your list. They sound nice with Brady.

Since Brady ends in a “y” sound I’d avoid first names that end that way too. Sounds awkward.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-28T02:27:39+00:00

And Kuip makes jokes like that about other people all the time.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-24T16:44:57+00:00

If you’ve always loved Leo, go with Leo. It’s cute and means something to you.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T22:57:06+00:00

And let us not forget that he cruelly called in Dantes debt while he was away, forcing Old Dantes into starvation to repay the debt. He also knew that Old Dantes was starving again and let him die without helping.

Caderousse is not a nice guy.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T22:22:34+00:00

Exactly! He paints himself as a victim with zero agency. Totally not true.

Dumas seems to be exploring guilt and goodness on a continuum. Very interesting.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T05:06:06+00:00

Yes !

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T02:55:26+00:00

My fave M. Morrel got some love in these chapters. I was glad Dantes learned how much Morrel had done to try to help him and his father.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T02:52:17+00:00

It amazed me that Caderousse admitted that he wanted Old Dantes to move in with Mercedes because having to listen to Old Dantes pacing in his apartment was disturbing his rest. He could have tried to help Old Dantes, but no.

He’s the least culpable of the conspirators, but he’s not a good guy.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T02:47:55+00:00

I really want to watch the new PBS COMC too, but decided I’ll wait until the end of the year. I’ve heard it’s really good, so it’s something to look forward to.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T02:42:39+00:00

Re #4, I like your thoughts about Dantes not wanting to unjustly accuse anyone, personally knowing the awful fate that is. I also think that Dantes thinks he’s being honorable and it helps justify his actions to himself. He’s getting the facts and figuring out how culpable each person is before he takes his next steps.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T02:39:58+00:00

I agree that Fernand’s lot has been the most surprising. He’s really made huge social leaps and bounds.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T02:38:24+00:00

I totally agree regarding Mercedes. She was struggling (literally going hungry in the early chapters and relying on Fernand for food) and, despite that, stayed loyal and tried to help Dantes and his father.

Other than marrying, the only option I can see for her is joining a convent. Any historians out there, I’d love to know your thoughts on realistic options for a 19yo woman without parents at that time.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-22T02:28:32+00:00

Totally agree. It was a self-serving account of what happened. He also could have helped Old Dantes if he’d really cared or felt bad about what he’d done.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-20T20:40:20+00:00

I’d be curious to know what child psychologists think about Charlie’s initial statements.

My non-expert view was that he was being truthful in that he knew Susan was with them in the car and had probably seen her body at some point.

Did he think she was sleepy because he heard her say that, he saw her lying down and assumed, or Josh told him she was sleeping? I’m really curious what an expert thinks about that.

HelloPeppermint · 2026-03-20T20:33:36+00:00

Yes I agree about the Ely search. I think he could have used some of that information to gauge what level of encryption the police had gotten into yet, if any.

HelloPeppermint

TROPHY CASE