The Count of Monte Cristo, Chapter 23 summary

What happens

1. Dantès dreams anxiously about treasure, then helps guide the smugglers toward Monte Cristo.
2. After landing, he learns that Jacopo knows no caves on the island and keeps his purpose secret.
3. He goes hunting, sends Jacopo back with a kid, and discovers marks that seem to end near a large rock.
4. His companions see him fall, and he claims that severe pain prevents him from being moved.
5. He refuses Jacopo’s offer to stay and persuades the smugglers to leave him with supplies and tools.
6. Once the ship disappears, Dantès springs up and returns to the marked rock with his gun and pickaxe.

In this chapter

What to notice

Dantès rejects sincere help because solitude matters more to his secret purpose. His refusal makes the independent search possible.

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