“There is a God in heaven, who looks after honest folk” M. Morrel to Edmond Dantes.
Happy June and happy spring to you!
Welcome to my monthly letter discussing what is happening in the shop and insights into my adventure through the classics.
To give a proper intro. My name is Rebecca and I’m the artist behind Gentle Resolve Studio which launched this past month. I am excited to be offering some works, commissions and cards that I hold dear to my heart.
Similar to Edmond Dantes at the beginning of the story – resonate with being of the honest, humble folk. I have always enjoyed stories with complex plot lines, emotions and wonderful scenes that leave marks on the mind. I find these stories and nature inspire my process and work.
It was through discussion over the various motifs, metaphors, and symbols at a local coffee shop with a friend that I realized I wanted to document the scenes in my head and share them with the rest of you!
Hence the classics collection – starting with the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
This book is one of my favorite books of all time – certainly of all the classics I have read so far. The beautiful descriptions of France with interesting these and plot points reminds us of the complex emotions and motivations of people.
This is already shown early in the book as I begin to read it for a second time as the “friends” around Edmond Dantes due to greed, pleasure, and jealousy end up causing him harm and imprisonment. Danglar for wanting to be captain, manipulated Caderousse, who did not wish to cause harm but divulge in his drink and ending up bearing witness and helped Fernand. Fernand, jealous of Mercedes’ love but unable to do anything himself because of his cowardness. That is until Caderousse unintentionally helped forge the note which condemned Edmond. Villefort’s ambition and wish to not be apart of his father’s treason ultimately set Edmond’s fate. The only person wishing him harm was Danglar – but even he only wished to remove him to be captain.
Only being a tenth into the book and Dumas is very much still setting the stage with high emotions of freedom, prosperity and despair – several scenes in mind for me to expand upon in the coming months!
Focusing on these beginning scenes – Into the Cove is out noting how the sea is considered a representation of escape and freedom – the coming home of a sailor.
The next piece focuses more inland as the ship comes into port being welcomed by Marseille’s civilians and the conflicting feelings of the sailors aboard.
Thank you for tuning in! Please let me know below if you have read this book before and what your favorite part or scene was!
Until next time,
Rebecca
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