Edmond’s journey seeking revenge has taught the readers that only those who have felt the deepest of misery know the feeling of true happiness. “There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life” (Dumas 214). This quote infers that because Edmond Dantes spent 14 years in “hell” he is now able to enjoy happiness in a deeper way than those who have not felt the anguish of Chateau D’if. Edmond has been searching for revenge since he escaped prison. After being imprisoned for many years he transitions from a loving young man …show more content…
However, “The two young people looked in the direction in which he was pointing. On the dark blue line separating the sky from the Mediterranean they saw a white sail,” Dantes find true happiness once again (Dumas 531). Dantes understands with the help of Jacopo that he can be happy once again. He sails of with Haydee leaving most of his riches and his power. In the letter left for Maximillian and Valentine inscribed it says, “All human wisdom is contained in the two words wait and hope”, (Dumas 531). In the 14 years of imprisonment Dantes was only able to hope for freedom and be patient. This ties into the theme of not knowing true happiness without misery because it develops how Edmond loses his path but with hope of freedom is able to overcome the obstacle that binds him to Chateau D’if. As Edmond had once been praised by Mr. Morrel and thought of as a son by him, Dantes does the same for Morrel’s son. At the end of the book Edmond treats Maximillian and Valentine as his children. Edmond leaves a letter saying, “There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world. There is only the comparison of one state with another. Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of