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Mari asked this question about The Count of Monte Cristo:
I never quite got how he was innocent. I mean sure the gang conspired to turn him in, but he broke the law all on his own. He CHOSE TO TAKE THE COMPLETELY ILLEGAL LETTER FROM A TRAITOR TO HIS GOVERNMENT! If someone had a letter from Osama Bin Laden to a bunch of ISIS sympathizers, I would make sure the government knew he was a traitor too! Even if they did it because they were jealous, he still broke the law. So?
Autumn I think I can answer this question, if you’ll forgive me for answering a question 3 years old.

The reason Edmond is innocent is because he did not kno…moreI think I can answer this question, if you’ll forgive me for answering a question 3 years old.

The reason Edmond is innocent is because he did not know that the package he dropped off in Elba was for Napoleon and that the letter he took receipt of was from Napoleon as well. Edmond was charged to go to Elba and see the grand-marshal. That is who he went to see and who, gave him the letter bound for Paris.

Yes, Edmond did see Napoleon, who made himself present at this exchange, but there was no reason for Edmond (maybe a bit naïvely) to believe that Napoleon was behind the letter.

That is why Edmond is innocent. Because he truly did nothing wrong, but follow his dying captain’s orders—who was a staunch Bonapartist. This is also why Villefort was going to release Edmond until he learned the letter was bound to his father. Then self preservation kicked in and the treachery came full circle. (less)
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The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas
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