The Marriage Feast Begins (The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 5)

📚 Summary:
The wedding feast is in full swing, with M. Morrel’s arrival marking an important moment in Dantès’ career prospects. Meanwhile, Danglars and Caderousse rush off to find the groom, only to spot him approaching with Mercédès, her attendants, and his father—along with Fernand, whose sinister smile betrays his hidden intentions. Dantès’ father, dressed in outdated but elegant attire, captures everyone’s attention, a relic of a bygone era.

✨ What Happens:

• Danglars and Caderousse are sent to fetch Dantès, only to see him already arriving with Mercédès and his father.
• Fernand trails behind the wedding procession, his usual "sinister smile" hinting at the treachery ahead.
• Dantès' father is decked out in his finest attire—silk suit, English stockings, and a three-cornered hat with ribbons—presenting an image of faded elegance.
• M. Morrel’s presence is a major honor, signaling Dantès’ imminent promotion to captain.

💡 Thoughts & Reflections:

• Fernand’s lingering presence feels like a storm cloud hovering over an otherwise happy occasion. His smile suggests he knows something no one else does.
• Dantès' father’s attire raises questions—was he once of a higher status? Does this suggest lost wealth or a longing for past grandeur?
• M. Morrel’s presence at the feast cements Dantès' future success—making his eventual downfall all the more tragic.

📖 Tidbits & Context:

• 19th-Century French Wedding Traditions – Weddings were community events, with processions and elaborate celebrations. The presence of Mercédès’ attendants aligns with historical customs.
• The Aged Dandies of 1796 – Dantès’ father’s fashion choices evoke aristocratic nostalgia from the post-Revolutionary era, contrasting with the working-class environment of La Réserve.
• Symbolism of M. Morrel’s Attendance – As a shipowner, Morrel wouldn’t normally attend a sailor’s wedding, further proving how much he values Dantès.

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