Power vs Conscience (Review)
A relentless struggle for power is the common theme of these two books, which will capture your imagination and leave you awe-struck. Written by two of the most eminent writers in French history, Alexandre Dumas and Guy de Maupassant, The Count of Monte Cristo and Bel Ami are timeless masterpieces.
The writers skillfully grab the attention and capture the reader's imagination. They adroitly twist and turn the plots, using witty expressions and ironic puns. Both works emphasise on the dark side of the upper-class characters, pointing out their virtues, as well as their vices and follow the protagonists through their metamorphoses.
The protagonists, however, are as different, as they are alike. Count Monte Cristo's quest for power and desire for vengeance contrast greatly with Georges Duroy's unmotivated greed for authority, which ultimately leads him to complete moral decadence. The differences in the ways of life and mores are further emphasised by the settings - the French capital of the eighteenth century is opposed to Paris a century later.
The splendid figures of speech, as well as the grasping plot and unforgettable characters are what sets Guy de Maupassant's chef-d'oeuvre apart. It depicts the harsh reality, without adding veneer to the ruthless political games. It also shows the true price of power - giving up voluntarily one's conscience, and truthfully presents the full impact of one man's actions on the surrounding world. This is one of the classics that one has to read at least once in their lifetime and one, which we go back to whenever we need some of the priceless wisdom of time.
